THE BULLFINCH. 327 



birds. The nest is usually built in May, and is 

 shallow structure, formed of small twigs, lined 

 with a few root fibres, and containing about four 

 slate-coloured eggs, spotted with purplish or pale 

 orange brown at the larger ends. Two broods are 

 reared in the year, and the nest is placed in the 

 sloe, hawthorn, or other low tree or bush. Some- 

 times the gooseberry is chosen, and occasionally 

 the bullfinch builds among the roses and their 

 green sprays. 



This bird is also called Pope, Coal-hood, Tony- 

 hoop, Alp, Nope, or Monk ; and is the Bouvreuil 

 commun of the French, and the Blutfinh of the 

 Germans. 



