62 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



The hind-claw of these was much longer than in Mr Pen- 

 nant's figure, but whether specifically different I am uncer- 

 tain. 



The above author tells us, a few of them build on the sum- 

 mits of the highest mountains, with the ptarmigans, but from 

 what I can be informed, none of them remain with us. Of the 

 ptarmigans we have none, I suppose for want of proper food. 



GENUS XL FINCHES. 



Gen. Char.~ Bill perfectly conic, sharp towards the end, and very sharp pointed. 



Species 1. The Chaffinch. 



Wil. Orn. 253. Raii Syn. Av. 88. Fringilla Coelebs, Lin Sys. 818. Brit. 

 Zool. 307. Ore. (often mistakenly), Snowfleck. 



CHAFFINCHES are seen with us in spring, but whether they 

 continue I am uncertain ; perhaps a few may build in Hoy 

 among the shrubs and in the gardens, but this species is un- 

 frequent in summer. 



