FINCHES 



13 



Fig. 9. 



The female is distinguished by the ash-grey on the wing. 

 The fledgling has no black on the throat, and has the under- 

 parts spotted with dark brown. 



Nest. In bushes, trees, hedges. Usu- 

 ally in orchards. Material : twigs, roots, 

 bents, &c., lined with rootlets, hair, dry 

 grass, and fibre. 



Eggs. Usually 4-5. Bluish or greyish- 

 green boldly streaked and spotted with 

 dark olive-brown and faint markings 

 of purple-grey. Slate-grey and also 

 buff ground colours occur. Av. size, 

 94 x "68 in. Laying begins April-May. One brood. 



11. Chaffinch [Fringilla ccelebs Calebs Linnaeus]. Resident 

 in most parts of British Isles. 



Bird. Length 6 in. Recognised by the conspicuous white 

 patches on the wing-coverts, the slate- 

 blue crown and nape, light chocolate 

 coloured back, red throat and breast. 

 The hen has the crown and nape 

 greyish-brown, the back olive-brown, 

 the throat and breast whitish-brown 

 with a tinge of orange-red (sienna). 

 The young are much like the hen. 



Nest. In hedges, bushes, trees, 

 p. -Q Material: felted moss, wool, &c., 



decorated with lichens and lined with 

 hair and feathers. One of the most beautiful nests. 



Eggs. Usually 4-6. Pale greenish spotted and streaked with 

 purple-brown. Blue eggs with and without markings occur. 

 Av. size, *76 x '57 in. Laying begins in April. Broods 1-2. 



12. Brambling [Fringilla montifringilla Linnaeus]. Winter 

 visitor to most parts, and bird of passage. Accidental in 

 summer. 



Bird. Length 6 in. Distinguished by the chestnut throat 

 and breast, white rump conspicuous in flight, and the blue- 

 black feathers of the head and mantle, ' 

 which in winter have ruddy brown edg- 

 ings. Belly dull white. The female is 

 brownish-grey mottled with brownish on 

 the head and mantlo, lacks the rich chestnut 

 on throat and breast, and is generallyduller. 



13. Goldfinch [Carduelis carduelis britan- 

 nica (Hartert) ; G. elegans Stephens]. 

 Resident in most parts. 



Bird (Fig. 11). Length 5 in. Easily recognised by the 



Fig. 11. 



