BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE BULLFINCH. 



ALP, OR NOPE. 



(Pyrrhula Vulgaris, Temm. Bouvreutl coinuiuu 

 Temm.) 



THE bill is dusky; eyes black; the upper part of 

 the head, the ring round the bill, and the origin of 

 the neck fine glossy black;* the back ash-grey; 

 breast and belly red; wings and tail black; the 

 upper tail coverts and vent are white; legs dark 

 brown. The female is very like the male, but the 

 colours are less bright, and the under parts of a 

 reddish brown. t 



This bird is common in every part of our island, 

 as well as in most parts of Europe; its usual 



* Hence in some countries it is called Monk or Pope, and in 

 Scotland it is not improperly denominated Coally-hood. 



t The Bullfinch sometimes changes its plumage, and becomes 

 wholly black during its confinement, especially when feed with hemp 

 seed. In the British Museum there is a variety of the Bullfinch 

 entirely white: we have seen others in the same plumage. 



