180 THE PINE GROSBEAK. 



uncertain ; but that in the aviary this is the case, has been 

 proved by experience. Not only after, but also immediately 

 before the first moulting, the colour is a decided reddish yellow. 

 This change commences at the beak, and proceeds down the 

 back to the breast, till all that was red has become yellow. 

 The yellow colour is somewhat darker than the citron yellow; 

 and all the feathers, whether red or yellow, are ashen grey on 

 the under side, and at the root. 



Observations. This bird is a native of the northern regions 

 of Europe, Asia, and America ; and is therefore found in 

 Mechlenburgh and Pomerania, though rarely in more southern 

 parts of Germany. It frequents the pine and fir woods, and 

 lives on the seeds of coniferous trees. It may be reckoned 

 among birds of passage, as in winter it migrates in search of 

 berries. It builds its nest in lofty trees ; the young birds are 

 at first brown, with a tinge of yellow ; and for the first year 

 the red colour of the males is much lighter than it is after- 

 wards. In autumn and winter these birds may be caught with 

 a noose, baited with juniper or other berries ; and are so stupid, 

 that in the north they are often taken with a brass ring at- 

 tached to the end of a pole, and provided with one or two 

 horse-hair nooses. This is simply thrown over the head of the 

 bird. They are often caught and keptin confinement on account 

 of their great taineness and agreeable song. They then sing 

 not only by night, but throughout the year ; whereas, in a wild 

 state, their song is heard only between the spring months and 

 August 



ADDITIONAL. MACGILLIVEAY calls this bird the Pine, or Greater 

 Bullfinch, and says it is the largest of our Passerine species, 

 bearing in colour a strong resemblance to the Common Crossbill, 

 which it resembles in its habits, haunts, and mode of life. In 

 form it presents nothing that essentially differs from the common 

 Bullfinch. PENNANT appears to be the only British naturalist 

 who has described the bird from actual observation ; and from 

 seeing them flying about in the great forest of Invercauld, Aber- 

 deenshire, as early as the fifth of August, he was led to sup- 

 pose that they had bred there. SELBT, however, observes that 

 such a conclusion ought scarcely to be inferred from this fact, as 

 a sufficient interval of time had elapsed for these individuals to 

 have emigrated from Norway, or other northern countries, to 

 Scotland, after incubation, as they are known to breed as early as 

 May in their native haunts. " 1 have made," he adds, " many 



