428 CONIROSTRKS ; FAMILY FRINGILLID^E. 



during this season, assiduously searching for food ; and they are 

 not unfrequently joined by others of a different species. At this 



FIG. 227.' SISKIN OR ABERDEVINE. 



time they show more fearlessness in their disposition, and 

 approach nearer to the haunts of Man, than they do at other 

 times. In consequence of the abundance of their food in the 

 autumn, when the seeds and grains are ripe, they usually become 

 very fat ; and thus a store is laid up against the winter, which 

 contributes to maintain their heat (ANIM. PHYSIOL., 412). It 

 is at this period that those species which are employed as articles 

 of food, are most prized ; as, for instance, the Ortolan, one of the 

 Buntings, which is much sought after on the Continent as a 

 delicacy, and is regularly fattened for the market ; and the 

 Sky-Lark^ of which large numbers are annually taken in the 

 neighbourhood of Dunstable, and sent to the London market, 

 whilst others are brought over from Holland. The geographical 

 distribution of this family is very extensive, in fact universal ; 

 some members of it being found in all parts of the globe where 

 animal life can be supported. Some of the most interesting 

 species will now be noticed. 



388. The Grosbeak, or Hawfinch, is remarkable for the 

 strength of its bill (Fig. 223), which enables it to crack the 

 stones of cherries, and even of olives, with little difficulty ; and 

 it chiefly lives upon hard seeds and the kernels of fruit. Its 

 habits are shy and retiring, leading it to choose the most secluded 



