THICK-BILLED BIRDS. 



173 



siderable distance. They live mainly upon seeds, but 

 vary their diet with an occasional repast of worms and 

 insects. Hence they are found in our meadows and 

 gardens, and in well-wooded districts over all Temperate 

 Europe. Some, indeed, range as far as the Arctic Regions, 

 in those parts where any kind of vegetation flourishes. 



The Fringillidse live in flocks, and show a gregarious 

 tendency more particularly during the winter months. 







^^' 





^^r^ 



The species that live in the colder regions of Europe 

 migrate southward at the close of the summer, and those 

 that inhabit mountainous districts flock to the lower 

 grounds. Their song is very sweet, and characterized by 

 much variety of modulation. Some of them are famous 

 for the ingenuity of their nests, but these are species 

 found only in India and Africa ; such as the tailor-birds, 



