i86 FINCHES. 



and found it equally ingenious with that of the external. There are many en- 

 trances, each of which forms a regular street, with nests on both sides at about 

 two inches' distance from each other. The grass with which they build is called 

 the " bushman's grass," and I believe the seed of it to be their principal food, 

 though, on examining their nests, I found the wings and legs of different in- 

 sects. From every appearance, the nest which I dissected had been inhabited 

 for many years, and some parts were more complete than others. This, there- 

 fore, I conceive to be an additional proof that the animals added to it at 

 different times, as they found necessary from the increase of the family, or 

 rather, of the nation or community." 



But the most celebrated of these ingenious architects is the "Tailor-Bird," 

 whose nest is a perfect curiosity. When about to build a cradle for their 

 progeny, the tailor-birds first select a plant with large leaves, and then, 

 gathering real cotton from the cotton-plant, spin it into a thread by means of 

 their bill and feet, and literally sew the leaves together so as to form a sort of 

 pensile bag, in which the young are reared. Much obscurity hangs over the 

 true affinities of this little bird : it is generally known by the name of Sylvia 

 siitoria, or Tailor Warbler. Dr. Latham describes its nest as composed of a 

 single leaf of a fibrous rough texture, about six inches long and five inches 

 and a half in breadth, ending in a point. The sides of this leaf are drawn 

 together so as to meet within three-quarters of an inch ; within this is the 

 nest, which is about four inches deep and two broad, opening at the top ; and 

 the bottom of the leaf is drawn upwards to assist in supporting it. The in- 

 ternal nest is composed of white down, with here and there a feather. The 

 stalk of the leaf from which the whole fabric h mgs is about five inches long. 

 The specimen above described was brought from China, 



Sub-Family IT. 



THE HAWFINCHES. COCCOTHRAUSTINiE.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill large, short, strong, conic, and very broad at the 

 base ; the culmen and gonys more or less equally curved at the tip ; the lateral mar- 

 gins more or less angulated at their base : the wings lengthened and more or less 

 pointed ; the tail in general short , the tarsi as long as, or shorter than, the middle 

 toe, robust, and strongly scaled, and the hind toe as long as, or rather shorter than, 

 the inner one, and strong. 



These birds are found in various parts of Europe, North America, 

 and the northern parts of India, where they migrate periodically 

 in search of the seeds and fruits on which they feed. The great 

 strength of their bills allows them to break cherry-stones and 

 almonds for the kernels ; they likewise feed upon haws and other 

 winter berries, f 



* KOKKoOpavffTTjs, coccothraustes, a kernel-breaker. 



f Hence the hawfinch is called by the Germans, Kernbdsser, Kirsch Kenibeisser, 



Kerschfiiik, Niissbeisser, etc. 



