LOXIA COCCOTHRAUSTES. 421 



and the lapwing deemed a summer migrant, arriving 1st of 

 April, the easterly gales at this time being called the " chuchat 

 storm." The Latin ornithologists call this bird Coccothraustes, 

 i.e., berry-breaker, because with its large horny beak it cracks 

 and breaks the shell of stone fruits for the sake of the seed or 

 kernel. 



Green Grosbeak Greenfinch alias Green Linnet. 

 (Loxia Chloris.) Linn. 



The merry finch with sapphire coat 



From bough to bough is springing ; 

 There's nought but music in his note, 



For love inspires his singing. 



This bird holds a doubtful position. It is neither a grosbeak 

 nor a linnet ; might be classed amongst the sparrows or the 

 finches. Its head and bill are too large for a linnet, and not 

 big enough for a grosbeak. But it does not matter where we 

 place it if placed amongst birds, as an unbroken affinity runs 

 through them all — broken only by geographical distribution and 

 the imperfect faculties of man to define them according to the 

 perfect design of nature, for, birds or beasts, insects or fishes, 

 plants or rocks — not to speak of the stars or planets — are all 

 defined as part and parcel of the one grand science of Nature — 

 quite enough to engross the limited powers of man without 

 introducing the future world of the priest, for, as a quill would 

 be missed from the wing of a bird, so with close study might 

 the want of a single species be missed from the perfect chain of 

 life. This bird is native, common here, and feeds on all sorts 

 of seeds and grain. Some authors say it is a late breeder — 

 " Its nest seldom finished before the end of May or 1st of June" 

 —which is not correct, as I have got their eggs in April and 

 May. One note will suffice :— " May 8th, 1856. Got a kitty 

 wren's nest with eight eggs at Abbey Park ; also a whin 

 sparrow's with four eggs, and two green linnets' — one with four, 

 the other with one egg — and a brown linnet's with one egg ; 

 and another brown linnet's with four eggs amongst the whins at 

 the links," which shows that the greenfinch breeds about the 

 same time as other small birds — at least here. I have got their 



