THE GEEENFIUfCH. 189 



finches : 1. The Great Greenfinch, the prevailing colour of 

 which is a beautiful yellow. 2. The Middle-sized Greenfinch, 

 which is light yellow, especially on the under part of the 

 body. And, 3. The Smallest, which is more green than yellow. 

 But the true distinction lies in the age of the birds, according 

 to which the body is larger or smaller, and the plumage more 

 or less brilliant. A more remarkable bird is the Bastard Green- 

 finch, the offspring of a male Greenfinch and a female Canary- 

 bird, which is always green and grey, whatever the colour of 

 the mother ; this is in no case a good singer. 



Habitat. The Greenfinch is to be found all over the conti- 

 nent of Europe, though less common towards the north. In 

 Germany it is one of the commonest birds. It may be ob- 

 served in summer in thickets, gardens, and wherever there are 

 willow trees ; but in winter, migrates in large flocks, and does 

 not return until March. 



In forest districts this is a favourite Cage-bird, and is usually 

 kept in a bell-shaped, or four-sided cage. It cannot be allowed 

 to run about, or to inhabit an aviary with other birds, except 

 if well supplied with food ; for it is so fond of biting, and 

 guards the access to the food drawer with its beak so effectually, 

 that other birds have no choice but to yield the point or be 

 deprived of their feathers. Otherwise this bird is as quiet and 

 tame in confinement, as it is shy and wild in a state of liberty. 



Food. When wild, it feeds on all kinds of seeds ; hemp and 

 rape seed, linseed, juniper berries, spurge laurel berries, unripe 

 barley, turnip, thistle, and lettuce seed. It is especially fond of 

 the seeds of the milk thistle, which almost all other birds dislike. 



In confinement, if allowed to run up and down the room, it 

 thrives admirably on the second universal paste ; especially if 

 a little rape or hemp seed be occasionally given to it. In the 

 cage it needs only rape seed, with a little hemp seed after 

 moulting, to make it sing. To keep it well, some green meat 

 is now and then necessary ; lettuce, chickweed, cabbage, or 

 juniper berries. 



Breeding. The Greenfinch generally attaches its nest to a 

 thick branch of a tree, though it is sometimes found in a thick 

 hedge, or on the top of an old willow tree. It is well built of 

 wool, coral moss, &c., and lined with fine root-fibres and hair. 

 The female lays twice a year four or five eggs, pointed at the 

 ends, and silvery grey, spotted with violet or brown. At first 



