FINCHES. 185 



FINCHES AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



friHE Siskin, the smallest species in our present group, is very similar 

 in structure to the Goldfinch, and belongs also to the genus Car- 

 duelis. These birds, commonly called Thistle-finches, feed entirely upon 

 seeds, principally those of the various kinds of weeds, thus performing 

 valuable service to the agriculturist. They have shortish and sharply- 

 pointed beaks, rather slender bodies, and longish wings. The Siskin, 

 with which we are now chiefly concerned, is a winter visitor to this 

 country from the northern^ parts of Europe, but has in a few instances 

 been known to remain and breed here. 



The Linnet, Redpole, Mealy Redpole, and Twite, form a separate 

 genus, taking its name from the first mentioned. Tne Lincvrice are 

 neat and lively birds of small size, most of them permanent residents 

 in Britain. Their heads are rather large, necks short, wings long, 

 legs short, and toes slender. The Linnet is the most common, oeing 

 found in all parts of the country throughout the year, while the Mealy 

 Redpole is the rarest, and only a winter visitor. 



The Sparrows, belonging, as we have previously stated, to the genus 

 Passer, are very closely allied to both the true Finches and the Linnets. 

 The House Sparrow is of all British birds the most common and 

 familiar; he is to be met with from one end of the country to the 

 other, but always close to the habitations of man. Barry Cornwall 



says concerning him 



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