BULLFINCH 



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never with other species. It always appears to be in a good humour, hopping 

 gracefully about amongst the branches, and sometimes hanging upside-down 

 while seeking its food, which consists of nuts, seeds, berries, and insects. The 

 cock accompanies his song, which is very simple and undeveloped, though 

 rich and flute-like, by many singular antics. Both males and females sing, 

 but the song of the male is much the louder. As is well known, bullfinches 



A COCK BULLFINCH. 



are trained to pipe certain tunes, and those that do this well are very valuable. 

 They pair for life and are much attached to each other, and take great care of 

 their young. Bullfinches generally nest in woods, although hardly ever where the 

 trees are firs. The nest is built about 20 feet from the ground, and is excellently 

 constructed and recognisable everywhere by its outer margin of interlaced twigs. 

 The first clutch, which is laid in the beginning of May, contains five, rarely six, 

 eggs, but the second, in the middle of June, not more than four. In autumn the 

 bullfinch leaves its summer quarters to wander through the fields and woods, 



