FRINGILLIDJE. 35 



or ten nests close together. The eggs are gene- 

 rally six in number : Yarrell says, ' from four to 

 six.' The Greenfinch, or Green Grosbeak, as it is 

 often called, from the immense size of the bill, is 

 an easily tamed bird, and is in consequence often 

 kept in confinement. 



Upon the 7th of December, 1867, I was shown, 

 in an Eton bird-stuffer's shop, a white, or more pro- 

 perly speaking, yellowish white bird of this species 

 which had just been shot near Surley Hall by a 

 gentleman who had brought it as a curiosity to 

 be stuffed. 



Hawfinch {Cocothranstes vulgaris). Local name, 

 Grosbeak, This bird has greatly increased in numbers 

 of late, residing with us all the year, and breeding 

 abundantly in Windsor Forest. The Hawfinch in 

 some seasons is numerous at Latimer, near Chesham, 

 and the Rev. Bryant Burgess says that he has found 

 the nest and eggs there. Young Hawfinches are ex- 

 ceedingly destructive amongst the peas in gardens ; 

 one was caught in a garden at Old Windsor, some 

 years ago, by getting its feet entangled in the 

 tendrils of some peas and being unable to extricate 

 them. 



The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe, of Drayton Beau- 

 champ, tells me that he sees a few pairs almost 

 every year in the park at Hartwell House, near 

 Aylesbury, where they breed. 



An albino specimen of this bird was taken in the 

 D 2 



