THE HAWFINCH 87 
weather. The Greenfinch has another note which is heard most 
frequently, but not exclusively, in spring. This is a single plaintive 
chirp which may be easily imitated by human whistling; it re- 
sembles somewhat one of the call-notes of the Canary-bird or Brown 
Linnet, and, being full and sweet, harmonizes with the woodland 
chorus far better than the monotonous croak described above. 
Another of the notes is a double one, and closely resembles that 
of the ‘Pee-wit’, hence it is called in some places ‘ Pee-sweep’. 
The Greenfinch builds its nest, when not among evergreens, in 
some tall thick bush 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 
congregate 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 simultaneously, fly rapidly only a few feet 
from the ground to another part of the field, but before they alight 
wheel 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 
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 with 
Sparrows, Chaffinches, and Buntings, frequent our farmyards and 
gardens in undiminished numbers. 
THE HAWFINCH 
COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS 
Lore, throat, and plumage at the base of the bill black; crown and cheeks 
reddish brown ; nape ash-grey ; back dark reddish brown ; wings black, 
great coverts white; some of the quills truncated at the extremity ; 
under parts light purplish red ; tail short. Length seven inches. Eggs 
light olive-green, with a few brown spots and numerous irregular lines 
of a lighter tint. 
JunpcinG from its conformation, one would, without knowing any- 
thing of the habits of this bird, pronounce it to be a professor of 
