576 FRINGILLID^. 



being rather the longest of the three ; the fourth one-eighth 

 shorter than the third. 



At the moult which follows the breeding-season, the 

 yellow colour is much less brilliant, and the feathers of 

 the head are brownish at the end, hiding the black at the 

 base. The plumage becomes much richer towards the season 

 of incubation. The black parts become deeper, and the 

 olive of a yellower green. 



The female is smaller than the male, measuring from 

 four inches and a quarter to three-eighths in length ; the 

 head, back, and upper part of the wings, greyish olive 

 brown, streaked with dusky black ; under parts greyish 

 white, streaked with dusky black, and tinged with green- 

 ish yellow on the throat and breast. 



Young males, after their first moult, have the black 

 feathers on the head margined with brown, and the colours, 

 though brighter than those of the female, are not so vivid 

 as those of the adult male. 



The nest below is that of the Hawfinch, previously de- 

 scribed. 



