OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 291 



THE GREENFINCH, 



€liloris cliloris, Sliarpe. 



This solid little bird is a green Finch in summer and a brown 

 Finch in winter. In each season it always has the strong 

 conical bill. In winter the brown tips of the feathers so 

 carefully overlie each other that the main green feathers are 

 not seen in the distance. When spring arrives the edges of 

 the feathers all drop away, and thus we have a green bird 

 for summer — the real Greenfinch— without the process of a 

 moult. The geographical range is over Europe. Now it is 

 in Australia for good or for ill, according as it will alter its 

 ways with its new environment. So far it gives no trouble, 

 although its food is partly seed. The species is quite a shy 

 one, with a plain voice. In spring the monotone is at once 

 recognized. It has been said that in Europe the voice of the 

 bird has no counterpart in nature. A few years ago I 

 remember being deceived by the call of this Finch, believing it 

 to be the spring arrival of the cicada. Boys know the cicada 

 as a green " locust," that makes a special din when being 

 quickly whirled round in the hand. The song is generally 

 described as poor. 



