COMMON BRITISH BIRDS Tt 



Rump white. Throat, breast, scapulars, and lesser 

 coverts pale orange-brown, rest of under parts white. 

 Greater coverts black, edged orange-red, rest of wing 

 black, feathers edged yellow, and some of the quills 

 with a white spot at base forming a white bar when 

 wing closed.- Tail black. Female not so bright. 



Note. Does not sing while with us. 



Distinguishing Feature. Often seen in autumn and 

 winter in company with Chaffinches feeding under beech- 

 trees. The white on rump is very conspicuous when the 

 Brambling flies up off the ground, and at once dis- 

 tinguishes it from the Chaffinches. 



Nest. In Scandinavia. 



Haunts. Beech woods. &c. 



BULLFINCH. (R. Finches.) 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Male : head, wings, and tail black, back 

 grey, rump and bar across wing white. Throat and 

 breast crimson, under parts greyish-white. Female : 

 much duller than the male. 



Note. A low whistle. 



Distinguishing Feature. The clearly denned colours, 

 black head, wings, and tail. Crimson breast, and white 

 rump, which shows distinctly when flying. A thick- 

 set bird, with strong, short beak. 



Nest. In low bushes, brambles, &c. ; sticks, moss, 

 lined hair. 



Eggs. Bluish-green, few spots of red-brown. 



Haunts. Shrubberies, gardens, &c. 



BUNTING, CORN. (R. Buntings.) 



Size, Large Sparrow. 



Colour. Above, brown with black centres to feathers. 

 Below, ashy-white with black spots. No white on 

 tail. 



Note. Like the rest of the Buntings' songs, a short 

 strain monotonously repeated. 



Distinguishing Feature. Much like a Lark in appear- 

 ance. Differs from the other Buntings in having no 

 white in tail. 



Nest. On jsp'ound under tuft of grass or small bush. 



Eggs. Purplish-white, with dark spots and scrib- 

 blings. 



Haunts. Cornlands, locaL 



