156 THE FINCHES 



grain. He is equally careful with the^ berries of the hawthorn, from 

 his supposed taste for which, but really for their kernels, he perhaps 

 has his name, or with those still redder or more luridly so of the 

 yew, amidst whose funereal branches he will sometimes cling head- 

 downwards, like a tit. He then presents an imposing appearance, 

 yet more so, perhaps, when he stands, stately, beside his nest, before 

 mounting it, whereby it assumes the appearance of a throne. 



Indeed, were it not for the crossbill, with his uniqueness and 

 right royal livery, the hawfinch, at least in these kingdoms, might well 

 be called King of the Finches. His size, his dignity, his build, his bill, 

 his colouring subdued yet rich above all, his name, Coccothraustes, 

 would else, I think, fully entitle him to that dignity. Whether he has 

 ever aspired to it, but unsuccessfully, or been deposed even in 1251 

 possibly, the year of his rival's invasion is a further question ; but 

 I sometimes think he looks melancholy, and I know that, year by 

 year, he broods. It may be said that, in this respect at any rate, he 

 does not stand alone amongst finches, or even amongst birds as a 

 class. I defer my answer to another occasion, there being no longer 

 space for it here. 



