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THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



very seldom see them about the open fields. This 

 species is much more shy and wary than the 

 Chaffinch, which in general habits it greatly re- 

 sembles ; the call-note has a certain similarity to 

 the pink pink of the latter bird, but is much sharper 

 and quite unmistakable ; the song is a low, somewhat 

 hoarse performance, very truly likened by Yarrell to 



IBranablings . 



that of the Greenfinch. This species is not known 

 with certainty to have bred in our country in a wild 

 state, though several instances of its having nested 

 and laid eggs in captivity are recorded. The favourite 

 breeding-places of the Brambling appear to be the 

 birch-forests of the mountainous ranges of Norway 

 and Sweden. A nest from the former country in my 

 possession much resembles that of the Chaffinch, but 

 is larger, and lacks the lichens which are generally 



