490 



THE TAKROCK. 



fourth. The beak of old birds is greenish yellow ; the inside 

 of the mouth orange ; the feet olive brown, and without the 

 hinder claw. The head, throat, neck, lower part of the body 

 and tail are white ; and there is often a black spot behind 

 each ear. The back and wing coverts are pale or bluish grey ; 

 the pen feathers white, the first row being tipped with black. 

 Those birds which have a dark grey crescent shaped spot on 

 the nape of the neck, are less than four years old. 



Observations. The Tarrock inhabits the northern countries of 

 Europe, and migrates southward in winter. If, after an interval 

 of fine weather, we have a snowy February, this bird may be 

 seen in Germany in great numbers, and many perish from cold. 

 At such a time they may easily be caught by nets and nooses, 

 set on a spot of ground which has been cleared from snow. Their 

 natural food consists of fishes and aquatic insects ; but when 

 tamed, they are content with bread and other food, and live 

 equally well on land and in the water. During the winter they 

 may be kept in a room, which should not be very warm ; or may 

 even be allowed to range the yard, provided they be driven every 

 night to an appropriate sleeping place. 



NEST OF THE BULLFINCH. 



