HAWFINCH. 101 



cone, dark blue in summer, and flesh-coloured, with the tip 

 black, in winter ; the slim feet are nine lines in height, and of 

 a pale crimson ; the yellowish brown of the forehead unites 

 with the light chestnut on the top of the head and cheeks ; the 

 circle of the head is black, and forms, under the chin, a large 

 square spot ; the nnpe of the neck and upper part of the back 

 are of a fine ash-gTey, the lower part is of a dark brown, with 

 some shades of grey on the rump. 



In the females, the cheeks, head, and upper tail coverts are 

 of a greyish chestnut colour ; the throat, wings, and tail rather 

 brown than black, the spot on the wings greyish, the under part 

 of the body reddish grey, shading to white on the belly. 



Habitation — When wild, it may be found in all the temperate parts 

 of Europe and Russia. It is very common among the mountainous coun- 

 tries of Germany, where the beech prevails in the forests. It is rather an 

 erratic bird than a bird of passage, and its excursions are ended in March. 

 Sonnini says, however, that he has seen it during winter, in Egypt, with 

 the blackbirds and thrushes, and its excursions are ended in March. 



In the house it is generally kept in a large wire cage, where it is soon 

 tamed. It may also be let run about, provided it has not too many com- 

 panions, and that it has food in abundance, for it is a very quarrelsome 

 Urd. 



Food. — In its wild state it eats many different things; the fruit of the 

 beech, elm, ash, and maple ; the berries of the juniper, service-tree, and 

 white-thorn ; cherries and plums, the stones of which it breaks with the 

 greatest ease, to eat the kernel ; hemp seed, cabbage, radish, and lettuce 

 seed also form a part of its food. 



In the house, if confined in the cage, it is contented with rape and 

 hemp-seed ; and if it run about, with the second universal paste. 



Breeding Its nest is well built ; the eggs, from three to five in 



number, are greenish grey, spotted with brown, and streaked with blackish 

 blue. The young, wiien reared from the nest, will become so tame as to 

 eat from the hand, ana will courageously defend itself with its beak against 

 the dogs and cats ; it may also be accustomed to go and come. 



Mode of Taking. — The haste with which these birds come on hearing 

 the call, makes it very easy to catch them in the net, by throwing berries 

 or hemp seed on the trap. In autumn and winter they may be taken by 

 the noose, with service-berries ; in spring they may be caught by placing 

 lime twigs on the nest. The loss of their liberty does not prevent their 

 eating immediately rape or hemp seed. 



Attractive Qualities. — I confess that it has very few; its song is less 

 agi'eeable than any of the others', it is a kind of low whistling, mixed with 

 some harsh tones ; but its great tameness may please ; it is necessai'v, 

 however, to guard one's sell from its beak. 



