200 THE BIIWS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



90. BULLFINCH. 



ryrrliuJa vulgaris. 



This well-known and handsome species is very 

 common in onr neighbourhood, and though never, 

 to my knowledge, met with in numbers sufficient to 

 justify the name of a flock, may certainly be con- 

 sidered one of the most typical birds in our district. 

 In the autumn and winter months, the old rough 

 fences so common in this county supply the Bullfinch 

 with an abundance of its favourite food, in the shape 

 of hips, haws, and many other berries ; and on such 

 fences it may be found, and closely observed in small 

 parties of seven or eight, which follow the line of 

 hedge, busily feeding, and calling to one another with 

 a low single note. At the approach of spring these 

 birds come into our kitchen-gardens and orchards 

 and commit great ravages on the early buds of the 

 gooseberry and other fruits. It appears to be some- 

 what doubtful whether the Bullfinch in any way 

 makes amends for the mischief thus committed, by 

 the destruction of any injurious insect. This is a 

 point which I would strongly recommend to the con- 

 sideration and investigation of such of my readers as 

 may have the opportunity, for the Bullfinch is a very 

 favourite bird of mine, and a great ornament to our 

 gardens and shrubberies. The nest and eggs of this 

 species are so peculiar and well-known that I think 

 it superfluous to describe them here ; a very favourite 

 site for the nest, in this neighbourhood, is a thick 

 young yew-tree or a dense box-bush, but it may be 

 met with in almost any quiet place with thick covert. 

 The hen bird sits very close, and may often be taken 

 on the nest. The natural song of the Bullfinch is 



