THE PERCHING BIRDS. 169 



Linnet." Its food consists of grain and seeds. The song 

 is tuneful, but not of any great power. It has a habit, 

 not generally noted, of roosting in ivy. The nest, built 

 about the second week of April, is placed in high hedges, 

 and is of twigs and wool lined with hair. Eggs, 5 or 6, 

 4 inch ; w^th reddish spots. Two broods are reared. 



A larger bird than the last, the Hawfinch is recognised 

 by its powerful short bill, as well as by the black markings 

 on the face and throat, the reddish feathers 

 on the crown, and the white in the tail. It 

 breeds in the counties round London, less frequently 

 farther north, and never in Wales, Scotland, or Ireland, 

 in all of which it occurs in winter only. Besides seeds 

 and berries, particularly those of the yew and hornbeam, 

 it is partial to the stones of fruits, which it easily cracks 

 with its sturdy bill. The nest, not of any great depth, 

 is of twigs and roots, lined sparingly with hair. Eggs, 

 5, I inch ; greenish, with black spots and lines. 



The beautiful Goldfinch, unmistakable by reason of the 

 bright red on its face and throat, the yellow on the wings, 



and the black on the crown, is, as the result 

 Goldfinch. « ,. , . tj. r i 



of persecution, becoming rarer. Its lood con- 

 sists largely of thistle-seeds and groundsel, and its song 

 is very pure. The slight nest, of moss lined with wool 

 and feathers, is found in May, orchards being a favourite 

 situation. Eggs, 4 or 5, rather over ?- inch; bluish white, 

 with red spots. There is a second brood. 



Breeding regularly amid the dense plantations of Scots 

 firs, as well as in Cumberland and sparingly in the eastern 

 counties of Ireland, the Siskin nests but rarely 

 in the southern half of this country, where it 

 is seen mostly in winter. It may be recognised by the 

 black chin and crown, and the yellow stripe behind the 

 eye. Its white breast is streaked with black. The nest 



