HAWFINCH. INSESSORES. COCCOTHRAUSTES. 325 



from three to five in number, of a yellowish-grey colour, with 

 spots and streaks of brown and blackish-grey. It is probable 

 that in the pairing season it utters a superior song, as MON- 

 TAGU says that, even in winter, during mild weather, he has 

 heard it sing sweetly in low and plaintive notes. 



PLATE 55. Fig. 1. Natural size. 



Bill, in the living bird, pinkish-white, but changing, after General 

 death, to a yellowish or pale brown. Irides ash-grey, 

 Base of the bill, space between it and the eyes, chin 

 and throat black. Crown of the head, cheeks, rump, 

 and upper tail-coverts, pale chestnut-brown, tinged with 

 grey. Collar round the nape of the neck bluish-grey. 

 Back and smaller wing-coverts, very deep reddish-brown, 

 then a succeeding row of white, forming an oblique bar 

 across each wing. Secondary, and part of the primary 

 quills, glossy black, with a purplish tinge, singularly cut 

 or truncated at their points ; and with a white oblong 

 spot in the centres of their inner webs ; the rest of the 

 quills entirely black. Tail, having the four middle fea- 

 thers white, with black bases ; the rest with their inner 

 webs half white half black, and their outer ones entirely 

 black. Breast and belly pale brownish-purple-red. Vent 

 and under tail-coverts white. Legs wood-brown. 



