180 



THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



very seldom see them about the open fields. This 

 species is much more shy and wary than the 

 Chaffinch, which in general habits it greatly re- 

 sembles ; the call-note has a certain similarity to 

 the innk pink of the latter bird, but is much sharper 

 and quite unmistakable ; the song is a low, somewhat 

 hoarse performance, very truly likened by Yarrell to 



Brain'blinors- 



that of the Greenfinch. This species is not known 

 with certainty to have bred in our country in a wild 

 state, though several instances of its having nested 

 and laid eggs in captivity are recorded. The favourite 

 breeding-places of the Brambling appear to be the 

 birch-forests of the mountainous ranges of Norway 

 and Sweden. A nest from the former country in my 

 possession much resembles that of the Chaffinch, but 

 is larger, and lacks the lichens which are generally 



