RUDDY-BREASTED BIRDS. 



order to extract the kernels. This bird neaii in 

 hedgerows, or at a moderate height in orchard and 

 other trees I have found the nest in a thorn a few 

 feet above reach in the neighbourhood of copce or 

 garden. It is a seed-eater, and is notorious for its 

 depredations among the peas. In autumn the asso- 

 ciation of the birds in family parties, and later in 

 general bands, 'brings them more into notice. The 

 song of the Hawfinch is insignificant, but its call a 

 long-drawn whistle delivered four times in succession 

 is quite distinctive. At first, however, the bird 

 will probably be identified by means of the massive 

 head and bill, the latter in summer being of a livid 

 blue, and in winter of a butty-white. 



BULLFINCH 6 inches. Although mddy-breasted and ap- 

 proaching the thick-necked appearance of the Hawfinch, 

 the Bullfinch has a well-defined black cap, a tail entirely 

 black, and a short bill, rather like a Parrot's. 



CHAFFINCH 6 inches; ruddy -breasted, bat lacks the 

 Hawfinch's thick-set appearance and masnire bill ; i* 

 a brilliant songster, whose call is 'Pint! pink!' 



CHAFFINCH. Plate 47. 6 inches. Forehead 

 black ; crown and nape slate-blue ; back chestnut ; 

 lower back green ; wings black, with two white 

 cross-bars; tail black, except two centre feathers 

 gray, and outer feathers boldly marked with white ; 

 breast wine-colour ; remaining under parts whitish ; 

 stout conical bill. Female: crown and upper back 

 olive-brown ; lower back green ; under parts olive- 

 gray ; rest as male, but less vivid. Resident 



Eggs. 4-6, pale grayish-blue, clouded with pale 

 reddish -brown, and having large detached blotches, 



