174 THE SMALLER BRITTSJT BIRDS. 



similar way, and having the same rapid and undulated flight. Tt 

 builds among the branches of the lofty fir-trees, that lift their* vast 

 pyramids of green in the clear mountain air of northern regions. 

 Its nest is neatly constructed of moss, and lined with wool and 

 feathers; it usually contains from four to five white eggs, spotted with 

 yellowish brown. Like the rest of its family it feeds chiefly on seeds, 

 but partly on flies and other insects. Mr. Scales, a Norfolk farmer, 

 used to consider these birds of service to his land from their de- 

 vouring large quantities of the seeds of the knot-grass. In severe 

 weather flocks have been observed feeding on beech-mast. 



The call-note of this bird is a simple and monotonous chirp resembling 

 the syllable 'tweet.' Its song, which is uttered chiefly in the spring, 

 is very similar to that of the ChaJOfinch, but less sweet and pleasing. 

 Meyer likens it to the word ' ckip-u-way .' 



The Mountain Finch makes its summer home and rears its young 

 in the northern parts of Europe. It is common in Norway, Sweden, 

 Denmark, and Lapland, and particularly numerous in Finland. About 

 the end of August it departs from these regions, and gradually spreads 

 over the whole continent as far as Greece and Italy. It is stated to 

 also visit Asia and Asia Minor. It arrives in this country in large 

 flocks, generally in September, but sometimes much later, and takes up 

 its abode chiefly in the northern counties, although considerable 

 numbers have occasionally been met with in the extreme south. A 

 correspondent of the "Times" stated that an immense flock visited 

 Stoke Park, near Slough, in November, 1865. Their numbers were so 

 great, that "the flight, which was seen starting from their roosting- 

 place one morning, continued streaming on without intermission for 

 thirty-five minutes. The person who noted this killed forty-five at one 

 shot." 



THE GREENFINCH, 



(Coccoihraustes Moris.) 

 PLATE XI. FIGURE III. 



ALTHOUGH less plentiful than the species last described, the Green 

 Linnet, as this bird is frequently called, is to be met with in all the 

 cultivated parts of Britain, except the northern and western Scottish 

 islands. It is also common over the whole of Europe and a large 



