NATURAL HISTORY. 



285 



Family IV. . Fringillidre. (Lat. Fringilla, a Finch. Finch kind.) 

 Sub-family d. Fringillincc. 



TRIXGILLA. 



Ccelebs (Lat. BacJiclor], ihc Chaffinch. 



"We now arrive at the Finches ; a very large and interesting 

 family. None of the species are large, and most of them are 

 excellent songsters. Their beaks are all conical, and fitted 

 for the destruction of corn, peas, &c. 



The CHAFFINCH or PIEFINCII, as it is often called, is so 

 well known as to need no description. It is chiefly re- 

 markable for the beautiful nest which it constructs. The 

 forks of a thorn or wild crab-tree are favourable places for the 

 nest, which is composed of mosses, hair, wool and feathers, 

 covered on the exterior with lichens and mosses, so exactly 

 resembling the bough on which the nest is placed, that the 

 eye is often deceived by its appearance. In the nest four or 

 five very pretty eggs are laid : these are of a reddish-brown 

 colour, sparely marked with deep brown spots, especially 

 towards the larger end. 



