1572 THE PERCHING BIRDS 



up hemp seed. They are not often seen on the ground, and only go there in search 

 of materials for their nest. The latter is placed on small bushes generally on thorns, 

 wild rose trees, hawthorns, and among hops. In form it resembles that of Sylvia 

 cinerea, and is constructed of fine, elastic, dry bents, particularly of ranunculus and 

 hop, clover, and umbelliferous plants. The interior is formed of delicate, dry roots 

 and shoots of plants, often interlaced with a few horsehairs or other coarse hairs. 

 The nest is loosely constructed and the exterior almost carelessly, but it is regular 

 and neat in the inside and in form is almost semicircular. It is placed in a fork of 

 the bush without being fastened to the branches, and is always well hidden in 

 the foliage. . . . The general complement of eggs is five, rarely four or six. 

 They are slightly elongated, slender, oval, or sometimes almost pyriform. In 

 color they are of a beautiful blue green, almost like the eggs of the song thrush, 

 and are marked with spots of reddish black, more numerous at the larger end and 

 but few on the rest of the surface. ... In general character they resemble 

 those of the common bullfinch, but are less in size, and the ground color is more in- 

 tense and pure, while at the same time the spots are deeper. During the period of 

 incubation, and when the young are still small, the male sings continually, but in 

 different places and often far off, but it frequently returns to the vicinity of the 

 nest. When any person approaches, it calls exactly like a canary, and the female 

 uses the same alarm note. As soon as the young commence to be feathered, the 

 male ceases his song and becomes as shy as the female. When they leave the 

 nest, the whole family conceal themselves in the foliage, and it is very difficult to 

 get sight of them, and they remain thus until they leave. Owing to their shy 

 habits then, I cannot say when they do leave, but suppose it is as soon as the 

 young birds can travel. In Siberia they are common, and remain longer there 

 than they do here. They nest there upon young conifers." Mr. Seebohm, who 

 appears to be one of the few British ornithologists who have studied the habits of 

 the rosefinch in Northern Europe, states that "its song is a very striking one, 

 and not to be confused with that of any other bird. It is a loud clear whistle, 

 ' tu-whif tu-tu-z. ' Although never varied, the song is sometimes repeated twice in 

 rapid succession, and when it is heard, the bird may usually be seen perched con- 

 spicuously on the top of a bush or low tree. The marshy forest banks of the great 

 Siberian rivers are a favorite resort of this bird, and in the Baltic provinces, where 

 it is common, and in the valley of the Upper Volga it is described as frequenting 

 willows and other low trees in marsh districts. ' ' In winter the scarlet rosefinch 

 ranges over the plains of India, sometimes in large flocks, but more generally in 

 small parties, frequenting alike groves, gardens, and jungles; at this season of the 

 year its habits much resembling those of the true finches. In Gilgit it breeds at an 

 elevation of ten thousand feet above the sea, fresh eggs having been obtained there 

 in the second half of July. Early in September it leaves the hills and comes down 

 into the valley, soon after migrating to winter quarters. In Central and Western 

 Europe the scarlet grosbeak is only known as a rare straggler, generally on an 

 autumnal migration, and as such, it has occurred in the British Isles. The general 

 color of the adult male is dark brown above, washed with rosy or pale crimson; the 

 wings and tail are dark brown; the lower back and rump dull rosy; the crown of 



