THE HAWFINCH 
even entire absence, from areas where, if left unmolested, 
it would be fairly numerous. Gardeners also never lose 
an opportunity for its destruction, because of its inroads 
on fruit and other produce. The favourite haunts of the 
Hawfinch in Greater London are orchards, large gardens, 
shrubberies, plantations and fields where tall hedges and 
trees are abundant. Skulking and shy as a Warbler, only 
transient glimpses of the big, ungainly-looking bird are 
obtained as it flits about the dense vegetation or crosses a 
more open spot from one tree or bush to another ; and it 
will be remarked that this Finch has a habit of flying up 
into the branches instead of dropping into them, as most 
other birds do. ‘The food of the Hawfinch consists of 
insects and larve to some extent in summer, and upon 
these its young are reared; but at all times seeds, nuts, 
berries, fruits, and peas perhaps form its staple support. 
The bird is very fond of the kernels of such fruits as cherries 
and plums, which its powerful beak enables it to crack 
with ease; the stones of haws, beech-mast, and the seeds 
of the hornbeam are also eaten ; whilst the young when 
they have left the nest consume large quantities of peas. 
The Hawfinch is not much of a songster, but in the breed- 
ing season the male utters a few chattering notes. The 
call-notes resemble those of the Greenfinch, and a party of 
birds frequently twitter amongst themselves after the 
manner of the Brambling, the Linnet, and other Finches. 
During autumn and winter the Hawfinch spends a gipsy 
sort of existence, wandering about the countryside in 
parties, or even small flocks, but in spring these disband, 
and in pairs seek out their nesting-places. The nest is 
made towards the end of April, the eggs usually being 
laid in May. It is often placed in a fruit-tree, a dense 
evergreen or thorn-bush, or on the top of a pollard horn- 
beam, at a height of a few feet or fifty. It is made of 
twigs, roots, stalks of various plants, and bits of lichen, 
lined with fine grass and roots and hair. It is a flat, 
163 
