310 OL'E native: songsters. 



leaf save one of the autumnal bough. Poets and 

 naturalists will love this finch for its association 

 with woodland trees and flowers, with the haw- 

 thorn hedge, or the bough of the shrubbery ; but 

 it has no great powers of melody, and its song, 

 though somewhat sweet, is weak. It may also be 

 taught to repeat words, and surpasses even the 

 bullfinch in its docility. Bechstein says that it 

 may not only be accustomed to go and return 

 again, but also to build in a room near an orchard, 

 or in a summer-house in a garden. 



The greenfinch is a resident bird, and is not 

 only generally diffused over Britain, but also 

 over the greater portion of Europe. It builds in 

 April, placing its nest in a bush, or in the very 

 thickest part of the hedge. This is formed of moss 

 and wool, lined with feathers or hairs. The eggs 

 are of a bluish white, speckled with pale orange- 

 brown. This bird is sometimes called the green 

 grosbeak. Its beak is indeed very large, and is 

 flesh-coloured. 



In winter a number of greenfinches assemble in 

 farm-yards with the buntings and other small birds, 

 and flit and hop about in search of gi'ain. But 

 it is only in the daytime that they thus congregate 



