FRIXr.ILI.lX.E. 



187 



THE BULLFINCH. 



PvRRHULA europ.+:a, Vicillot. 



During the greater portion of the year the Bullfinch is a frequenter 

 of wooded districts ; and unless the white rump and, in the male, 

 the bright colour of the breast should happen to catch the eye, 

 the bird may often, by escaping notice, be considered far 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; 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 

 segregated as P. major of Brehm ; but our smaller and duller bird 

 inhabits the countries south of the Baltic and west of Central 

 Russia, as far as the northern portions of the Spanish Peninsula 



