BRITISH BIRDS. 



249 



THE CHAFFINCH. 



SHILFA, SCOBBY, SKELLY, OR SHELL-APPLE. 



(Frujgilla Ccelcbs, Linn. Gros-bec pirnou, Temm.) 



THE bill is pale blue, tipped with black; eyes 

 hazel; forehead black; the crown of the head, and 

 the hinder part and sides of the neck bluish ash; 

 sides of the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and 

 the breast vinaceous red; belly, thighs, and vent 

 white, slightly tinged \vith red; the back is red- 

 dish brown, changing to green on the rump; both 

 greater and lesser coverts are dusky, tipped with 

 white, forming two pretty large bars across the 

 wing; the bastard wing and quill feathers are 

 black, edged with yellow ; the tail is a little 

 forked, and black, the outermost feather edged 

 with white; legs brown. The female wants the 

 red upon the breast; her plumage in general is 

 not so vivid, and inclines to green; in other re- 

 spects it is not much unlike that of the male. 



This beautiful bird is every where well known; 

 it begins its short and frequently-repeated song 



VOL I. 



2 I 



