GREENFINCH. HAWFINCH. 49 



Genus— LIGURINUS. 

 LIGURINUS CHLORIS— Greenfinch. 



\Coccothraiistes chloris — Yarrell?\ 



Like the Linnet green in May, 

 Flitting to each blooming spray. 



A. Phillips— Oc?es. 



The Greenfinch is very common in every part of the county, 

 and remains with us throughout the year. It is a good friend to the 

 farmer and gardener, as it feeds its young entirely upon soft seeds, 

 thus destroying countless weeds. It begins to sing rather late in 

 the Spring, and will in captivity imitate the songs of other birds. 



One have I marked, the happiest guest 

 In all this covert of the blest ; 

 Hail to thee, far above the rest 



In joy of voice and pinion ! 

 Thou Linnet ! in thy green array. 

 Presiding spirit here to-day, 

 Dost lead the revels of the May ; 



And this is thy dominion. 



Wordsworth— G^reen Linnet. 



Genus -COCCOTHRAUSTES. 



COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS— Hawfinch. 



The Hawfinch is not a common bird in Herefordshire, and 

 yet it is a regular winter visitant in some localities, a few remaining 

 to breed. A pair of Hawfinches were shot by the late Mr. Pearce 

 in the shrubberies at Culver Hill, Norton Canon (c 1845.) 

 Mr. Lingwood's notes say, " Lyston, 1847 ; Aylston Wood, nesting, 

 1849; Eyston, March, i860." The late Captain Mayne Reid 

 found a nest with two eggs in it near Ross (c. 1878), and these 

 eggs are now in the possession of Mr. W. C. Blake, of Ross. 

 Nests have also been found at Colwall. The Hawfinch built in an 

 apple tree at Lucton, June, 1884; and there was another nest at 



