INJURIES FROM ANIMALS 157 



devour the buds of coniferous and other trees, 

 and catkins of the birch, alder, and hazel. 



On account of its extremely shy and re- 

 tiring habits, the hawfinch is rarely seen, but 

 it is fairly common in the southern English 

 counties. Its favourite food is the seed of 

 the hornbeam, but it will also eat those of 

 the beech, elm, ash, service tree, and juniper. 

 Plum stones and laurel berries are also devoured, 

 and we have known it to feed on hawthorn 

 and holly berries. 



The hawfinch may occasionally be seen in 

 the London parks, and a friend has, on several 

 occasions, watched it feeding on the seeds of 

 the hornbeam that grows near Pembroke 

 Lodge in Richmond Park. The damage done 

 is, however, not serious, and this member of 

 the finch family should be preserved wherever 

 it is found. 



