208 FRINGILLID^ 



tall thick Lush either in a hedge or coppice. Less neatly 

 finished than that of the Chaffinch, it is nevertheless 

 a beautiful structure. It is composed externally of a 

 framework of light twigs and roots, interleaved with moss 

 and wool, to which succeeds a denser layer of the same 

 materials lined with hair. It lays five eggs, which are of 

 a light grey colour, almost white, variously speckled with 

 purple, and of a long shape. In winter. Greenfinches con- 

 gregate in large numbers, and feed together on the seeds 

 of various weeds in stubble fields, or not unfrequently 

 they descend on newly-sown fields of wheat, where they 

 are very troublesome. If disturbed, they rise simultane- 

 ously, fly rapidly only a few feet from the ground to 

 another part of the field, but before they alight, Avheel 

 about several times with singular precision of movement, 

 disappearing from the sight and reappearing according as 

 the dark or light portion of their plumage is turned 

 towards the spectator ; and by this peculiarity they may 

 be distinguished from flocks of other small birds at a great 

 distance. If repeatedly disturbed, they alter their tactics, 

 and take refuge in the top branches of the neighbouring 

 trees until their persecutor has turned his back, when 

 they return to the charge with the same perseverance 

 which they display in the repetition of their summer song. 

 These flocks, probably, are composed of individuals which 

 have banded together in some more northern climate, and 

 emigrated southwards in quest of food ; for smaller parties, 

 either unmixed, or associated Avith Sparrows, Chaffinches, 

 and Buntings, frequent our farmyards and gardens in un- 

 diminished numbers. 



