PERCHING BIRDS. 185 



and in many of the eastern counties, during the 

 winter season, flocking with sparrows and other 

 small birds. At the approach of spring it retires 

 to the northern and mountainous parts of England 

 and Scotland, where it breeds. The particular 

 note of the bird, resembling the word " twite" 

 in its sound, has procured it that name. The 

 other species, the MEALY REDPOLE, is an accidental 

 one, and has been considered by many ornitholo- 

 gists to be merely a larger variety of the lesser 

 redpole. It is larger, and the general plumage 

 paler. 



The GREEN FINCH is one of our common birds, 

 and remains with us through the year, only occa- 

 sionally changing its ground in severe weather. 

 It frequents gardens, orchards, and cultivated 

 lands ; and may be seen actively engaged among 

 the branches and hedges, searching for seeds and 

 insects. In the form of its bill, which is very 

 large, it more resembles the sparrow; but in 

 other respects it is more allied to the finches. 

 It is a pretty bird, of soft and gentle appear- 

 ance, and the tints of its plumage are subdued 

 and blending, the predominant hues being olive- 

 green and yellow. 



The largest British species of this genus is the 

 HAWFINCH, or COMMON GROSBEAK, which has been 

 frequently described as merely a winter visitant, 



