FRINGILLIN.'E. 



195 



X :x 



THE BULLFINCH. 



PVRRHULA EUROP.EA, Vicillot. 



During the greater portion of the year the Bullfinch is a 

 frequenter of wooded districts, in which, unless the white rump and 

 —in the male — the bright colour of the breast should catch the 

 eye, the bird may often escape notice, and thus be considered rarer 

 than is really the case. In spring, however, it frequently attracts 

 the attention of the gardener by its visits to his fruit-trees, and 

 although the damage done to the young buds may sometimes be 

 over-estimated, it cannot be denied that there is apparent ground 

 for complaint. Throughout suitable localities in England and 

 Wales the Bullfinch is generally distributed, especially on dry, 

 sandy soils ; and, although rather more local in Scotland, it has of 

 late years spread to some of the Hebrides — especially to the south- 

 eastern part of Skye, but to the Orkneys and Shetlands it is a rare 

 visitor. In Ireland it is common, except in treeless districts, and in 

 the south is increasing. 



In Northern and Eastern Europe and in Siberia, migrating south- 

 ward in winter, is found a large and brilliant race, which has been 

 separated by Brehm as P. major, and this has been freely imported 

 and has been taken in Yorkshire ; but our smaller bird inhabits 



