170 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS 



of man, in their search for food in the stackyards and stubble-fields. 

 They build rather large but compact nests, and lay from four to eight 

 eggs, usually spotted, streaked, or clouded. Their flight is in general 

 strong and rapid, but they move rather clumsily on the ground. First 

 in our group wo have the only two British representatives of the genus 

 Fringilla, the Chaffinch and Mountain Finch. The Fringilla: are neat 

 and compact in shape, and have shortish, straight, and conical beaks. 

 Their plumage is brightly coloured, and delicately marked. 



The Green and Haw Finches belong to the Coccothraustes, a genus 

 deriving its name from coccos a berry, and thraud to break; they have 

 thick and powerful bills, by means of which they are not only able 

 to crack the outer husks of seeds and grain, but even the hard stones 

 of plums, cherries, and other fruit. Their heads are large, broad, and 

 rather flat at the top, their necks thick, and their legs short. Next 

 we have our favourite and familiar friend the Goldfinch; he belongs to 

 the genus Carduelis, and has a rather longer bill, and more slender 

 body than most of his relations, BO that his appearance is less clumsy 

 and heavy. Last comes a representative of the genus Loxia, the portly 

 Bullfiucn, with his glossy black head and brilliant rod breast. 



