36 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



at the large end of the egg", where they often form 

 an irregular zone. In some eggs the pale underlying 

 markings are large and more numerous than the surface- 

 spots, and in others a few streaks or small spots of very 

 dark brown occur. A rare variety is white and spotless. 

 Average measurement, '84 inch in length, by "55 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, chiefly performed by the female, 

 lasts fourteen days. Sometimes the first egg is sat upon 

 as soon as laid. 



Diagnostic characters: It is impossible to give 

 any character by which the eggs of the Greenfinch can 

 be distinguished, either from those of the Crossbill, the 

 Goldfinch, or the Linnet. As a rule the eggs are larger 

 and more boldly spotted than those of the two latter 

 species, and slightly smaller than those of the former. 

 The style and situation of the nest are of some service 

 in their identification. 



Family FRINGILLID.E. Genus Fringiixa. 



Sub-family FRINGILLIN.E. 



GOLDFINCH. 



FrINGILLA CARDUELIS, LilDUEUS. 



Double Brooded occasionally. Laying season. May to July. 



British breeding area: The Goldfinch is another 

 bird whose breeding area has been sadly curtailed by 

 the bird-catcher and modern improvements. Thirty 

 years ago, in my part of Devonshire (Torquay) this 

 charming bird bred in almost every orchard ; now 

 scarcely a pair can be found. It may still, however, 

 be said to breed more or less sparingly and locally in 

 all the Enc^lish counties, becoming most rare in the 



