RUDDY-BREASTED BIRDS. 103 



order to extract the kernels. Tliis bird nests in 

 hedgerows, or at a moderate height in orchard and 

 other trees — I have found the nest in a thorn a few 

 feet above reach — in the neighbourhood of copse or 

 garden. It is a seed-eater, and is notorious for its 

 depredations among the peas. In autumn the asso- 

 ciation of the birds in family parties, and later in 

 general bands, brings them more into notice. The 

 song of the Hawfinch is insignificant, but its call — a 

 long-drawn whistle delivered four times in succession 

 — is quite distinctive. At first, however, the bird 

 will probably be identified by means of the massive 

 head and bill, the latter in summer being of a livid 

 blue, and in winter of a bufiy-white. 



BULLFINCH — 6 inches. Although ruddy-breasted and ap- 

 proaching the thick-necked appearance of the Hawfinch, 

 the Bullfinch has a well-defined black cap, a tail entirely 

 black, and a short bill, rather like a Parrot's. 



CHAFFINCH— 6 inches; ruddy -breasted, but lacks the 

 Hawfinch's thick-set appearance and massive bill ; is 

 a brilliant songster, whose call is ' Pink ! pink ! ' 



CHAFFINCH.— Plate 47. 6 inches. Forehead 

 black ; crown and nape slate-blue ; back chestnut ; 

 lower back green ; wings black, with two white 

 cross-bars ; tail black, except two centre feathers 

 gray, and outer feathers boldly marked with white ; 

 breast wine-colour ; remaining under parts whitish ; 

 stout conical bill. Female : crown and upper back 

 olive-brown ; lower back green ; under parts olive- 

 gray ; rest as male, but less vivid. Resident. 



Eggs. — 4-6, pale grayish-blue, clouded with pale 

 reddish -brown, and having large detached blotches, 



