260 BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



distinct species, but some authorities consider it a mere 

 race of the larger and lighter Mealy Redpoll, more than 

 one imdoubted race of which is to some extent known to 

 us in winter. 



THE BULLFINCH 



(Pyrrhula europaea). 

 Plate 86. 



In its appearance the Bullfinch stands entirely alone among 

 British birds. It is an absolutely unmistakable species, and 

 is familiar to all as a cage-bird. The bill is very short 

 and stout, and the glossy black and bright vermilion of 

 the adult male's plumage are exceptionally distinctive. The 

 contrast with the dull female and with birds of immature 

 plumage is very striking. The British race is smaller and 

 darker than the continental one, the former being resident 

 within our area. The species has a tendency to melanism 

 — that is, an abnormally great proportion of black in the 

 plumage. This tendency is especially to be met with 

 among captive birds, and can to some extent be influ- 

 enced by special feeding ; but apparently wild birds of 

 wholly black plumage have been recorded. 



The Bullfinch, as we have said, is resident in the 

 British Isles. Its distribution within them is wide, but 

 does not include the more outlying islands or the treeless 

 districts of the mainland. For the rest it is a com- 

 paratively common species throughout, but tends to be 

 local even in those parts of Scotland which are suitable 

 to its habits. 



The nest is rather peculiar, consisting of a shallow 

 cup of roots and hair on a platform of small twigs. It 

 is placed in a hedge or near the end of a low bough. 



