THE HAWFINCH 



even entire absence, from areas where, if left unmolested, 

 it would be fairly numerous. Gardeners also never lose 

 an opportunity for its destruction, because of its inroads 

 on fruit and other produce. The favourite haunts of the 

 Hawfinch in Greater London are orchards, large gardens, 

 shrubberies, plantations and fields where tall hedges and 

 trees are abundant. Skulking and shy as a Warbler, only 

 transient glimpses of the big, ungainly-looking bird are 

 obtained as it flits about the dense vegetation or crosses a 

 more open spot from one tree or bush to another ; and it 

 will be remarked that this Finch has a habit of flying up 

 into the branches instead of dropping into them, as most 

 other birds do. The food of the Hawfinch consists of 

 insects and larvae to some extent in summer, and upon 

 these its young are reared ; but at all times seeds, nuts^ 

 berries, fruits, and peas perhaps form its staple support. 

 The bird is very fond of the kernels of such fruits as cherries 

 and plums, which its powerful beak enables it to crack 

 with ease ; the stones of haws, beech-mast, and the seeds 

 of the hornbeam are also eaten ; whilst the young when 

 they have left the nest consume large quantities of peas. 

 The Hawfinch is not much of a songster, but in the breed- 

 ing season the male utters a few chattering notes. The 

 call-notes resemble those of the Greenfinch, and a party of 

 birds frequently twitter amongst themselves after the 

 manner of the Brambling, the Linnet, and other Finches. 

 During autumn and winter the Hawfinch spends a gipsy 

 sort of existence, wandering about the countryside in 

 parties, or even small flocks, but in spring these disband, 

 and in pairs seek out their nesting-places. The nest is 

 made towards the end of April, the eggs usually being 

 laid in May. It is often placed in a fruit-tree, a dense 

 evergreen or thorn-bush, or on the top of a pollard horn- 

 beam, at a height of a few feet or fifty. It is made of 

 twigs, roots, stalks of various plants, and bits of lichen, 

 lined with fine grass and roots and hair. It is a flat, 



163 



