PINE BULLFINCH. 337 



hern seen or killed in England, one specimen of 

 a female, obtained on Harrovv-on-the-Hill, being 

 in his own collection. Mr Thompson has not 

 recorded its appearance in Ireland. In Europe, it 

 is most frequent in the north, and the specimens 

 from the New World have always been considered 

 identical with them, and it is in the northern parts 

 of the latter country also that they are chiefly 

 found, being met with by Dr Richardson as far 

 as the sixtieth degree, and by Mr Audubon in 

 Newfoundland, the coasts of Labrador, and Hud- 

 son's Bay. It is from these writers on the orni- 

 thology of North America, that we learn any thing 

 regarding their habits, and, according to the latter, 

 they feed on the buds and seeds of almost all kinds 

 of trees. The nest is said to be placed not far from 

 the ground, arid to be composed of small sticks 

 lined with feathers, the eggs white. It is recorded 

 also as being a beautiful songster, possessing a 

 deep and full tone, and is occasionally kept in 

 confinement on this account, becoming soon very 

 tame and familiar. 



We do not know the changes of the colours 

 assumed during the breeding season, or at diffe- 

 rent ages by this species, but it apparently varies 

 from different shades of yellowish red to carmine 

 red. The plumage is soft and rather loose ; that 

 of the adult male in summer is described as 

 carmine red, the feathers on the back, scapu- 

 lars, and rump, grayish black in the centre. 

 Feathers of the wings and tail blackish brown, 

 edged with reddish white, which is broader on 



