HAWFINCH. GREEN FINCH, OR GREEN LINNET. 77 



observing their habits. The berry seemed in all instances to 

 be taken sideways with the beak, and broken with the same 

 movement that forced it from the stem, and this, too, with the 

 greatest apparent ease. This feat, when we recollect the 

 amount of exertion required to break those berries by our- 

 selves, affords a very good idea of the immense strength of the 

 mandibles. During mild seasons it is not improbable that 

 the hawfinch may remain and breed, having on one occasion 

 obtained a single egg, sent with others more common, from 

 the county of Meath, and which, on comparison, was found 

 similar to continental specimens in our collection. 



From accounts of the habits of this species, remarked by 

 other observers, ah 1 agree in its being a most wary and watch- 

 ful bird to approach ; yet those observed by us, on both 

 occasions, were remarkably tame, and free from the least 

 timidity. 



The stomach of one examined by us was entirely filled with 

 the kernel of the plum, the strong stone of which had been 

 first broken by the bird. 



According to some describers the hawfinch is possessed of 

 a low, plaintive melody ; but, however, from the immense size 

 of the bill, it can be of very little value, and is remarked by 

 Degland, when frequenting the gardens about Lille, to be un- 

 cared for by the bird-catchers from its naturally silent dispo- 

 sition.* 



Habitat Central Europe. 



SPECIES 73 THE GREEN FINCH OR GREEN LINNET. 



Coccothraustes chloris. Selby. 

 Gros-bec verdier. Temm. 



THIS common species is to be met with during all seasons, 

 and in almost every locality, but seldom found at a distance 

 from cultivated lands ; it appears more frequently in the vici- 

 nity of the farm and garden. The natural resort of the green 

 finch appears to be close hedges lying at the foot of hills, 

 and its favourite breeding place in such localities, the tangled 

 upper branches of underwood. However, as it approaches 

 the cultivated districts, its habits change and it frequents the 

 shrubbery and garden, and, in some instances, almost resem- 

 bles the sociable grosbeak of Africa, in its amicability in 

 breeding together. As one instance noticed in the shrub- 

 bery of Dr. Barker, at Stirling, near Dublin, as many as 



* Ornithologie Europeenne. 



