l86 BRAMBLING. 



flocks have been observed in the beech-woods of Armagh and the 

 north-eastern districts, and also in co. Cork. 



To the Faeroes the Brambhng is only an exceptional visitor. On 

 the mainland it breeds throughout the sub-Arctic pine and birch 

 forests, from Norway to Kamchatka ; while on migration it occurs in 

 Japan, China, Northern India, Asia Minor and the whole of Europe ; 

 but it is only in very severe winters that it pushes its wanderings to 

 the African side of the Mediterranean. Immense flocks sometimes 

 visit Belgium, Holland, Germany and Heligoland ; but statements 

 that this species has nested in the Pyrenees, the Alps, or the 

 Ardennes, are as yet unconfirmed. 



As a rule, the Brambling breeds at higher altitudes than those 

 frequented by the Chafifinch ; and its nest, usually placed where a 

 branch meets the stem of a birch- or fir-tree, but sometimes in small 

 juniper bushes, is bulkier, less compact, and largely composed of 

 birch-bark. Several pairs generally breed in company. The eggs, 

 6-7 in number, laid late in May or early in June, are, as a rule, rather 

 greener than those of the Chaffinch and have more defined markings, 

 but many of each species are quite indistinguishable : measurements 

 •8 by "6 in. The Brambling has bred several tmies in captivity. Its 

 food consists of insects, small seeds — especially those of the knot- 

 grass, beechmast, and the kernels of nuts. The call-note is a harsh 

 cMb ; the male during the breeding-season utters a long, wearisome 

 and oft-repeated cree, much louder than that of the Greenfinch. 



The adult male in breeding-plumage has the head, cheeks, nape 

 and back glossy blue-black with white bases to the feathers, which 

 sometimes show in the form of an irregular collar ; upper wing- 

 coverts orange-buff, tipped with white ; greater coverts black, 

 margined with white, which forms a conspicuous bar ; quills mostly 

 brownish-black, with whitish exterior margins ; rump white, mottled 

 with black ; tail-feathers black, with a little white at the base of the 

 outer pair ; throat and breast reddish-fawn-colour ; belly dull white ; 

 flanks spotted with black ; under wing-coverts bright yellow ; bill 

 bluish-black ; legs brown. Length S'l in. ; wing 3 "6 in. In autumn and 

 winter the black feathers of the head and back have ample margins 

 of reddish-brown (as represented in the woodcut), which are shed in 

 spring ; a warm orange-brown pervades the wing- and tail-coverts, 

 breast and flanks ; and the bill is yellow, with a black tip. The 

 female is dull brown on the upper parts and has none of the rich 

 black and chestnut markings of the male. Young birds at first 

 resemble the female, but the males soon show signs of black on the 

 head and back, and the under parts are brighter fawn-colour. 



