PASSER MONTANUS. 401 



halt at the north of England. They also breed in the 

 thatch of barns, along with house sparrows, and in the old nests 

 of magpies and crows, in which they form their nests with 

 domes. The eggs are freckled over with various shades of 

 brown, and subject to great variety ; from light red, like the 

 robin's, to grey, like the wagtail's. It takes its name Montana* 

 from Montagu, who first identified it in Britain. It is known 

 by the crown of the head and the nape of the neck being deep 

 chestnut, the space between the bill and eyes, a spot behind the 

 ears, throat, and under part of the neck, back, the sides of the 

 neck, and a collar on the nape, white. The next genus in this 

 sub-family is 



Genus Fkingilla, Finch. 



This genus is restricted to the chaffinch and mountain-finch, 

 the only two in Britain. The goldfinch, siskin, and bullfinch, 

 having generic differences, are separated. The bills of the 

 chaffinch and mountain-finch are not so thick as the sparrow's, 

 but they also feed on grain and insects. 



The Chaffinch. 



(Fringilla Coalebs.) Linn. 



Wee bonny shilfa, brisk and cheery, 

 E'en in this dell sae weird and eerie ; 

 " Dink, dink" wi' labour never weary ; 



While Sol shines bright, 

 You're in this warF sae dark and dreary — 



A cheery sight. 



This handsome bird is broadcast over the cultivated parts of 

 Britain. An early breeder ; its song, though short, is sweet, 

 till louder songsters eclipse it by their general harmony, as 



" The nightingale, if she should sing by day 

 When every goose is cackling, would be thought 

 No better a musician than the wren." 



To me his clear dink, dink, heard near some lone wood is a song 



