HAWFINCH 131 



The hawfinch has a somewhat curious history in this country. 

 It was always believed to be an accidental autumn and winter visitor 

 until, a little over half a century ago, the naturalist Doubleday, of 

 Epping, discovered that it was a resident all the year round, and not 

 a very rare species in that locality. Later it was found breeding in 

 other places, and it is now known to inhabit all the Home Counties 

 and various other parts of England. At present the belief is general 

 that the bird is increasing in numbers and extending its range. This 

 would seem the most natural .explanation of the fact that the bird is 

 often seen now hi places where it was not seen formerly ; but it 

 must be taken into consideration that nobody looked to find the 

 hawfinch when it was not known to be a British species, and that 

 now many sharp eyes watch for it. As it is, we are seldom rewarded 

 by a sight of it, even in localities where it is known to exist, in spite 

 of its conspicuous colouring and the somewhat singular appearance 

 given to it by its large head and massive, conical beak. Its excessive 

 wariness prevents it from being seen even when it is not rare. No 

 other small bird is so shy with us, so vigilant, and quick to make 

 its escape at the slightest appearance of danger. When not feeding 

 it passes the time in woods, plantations, and copses, at a spot where 

 the trees grow thickest and the foliage is most dense. Its love of con- 

 cealing itself in the deepest shade is like that of a nocturnal species. 

 When away from its obscure place of refuge it is extremely alert, 

 perching in the tops of trees to survey the surrounding scene, and 

 from which to drop silently into any garden or orchard which may 

 be safely visited. Naturally, it has been assumed that this shy and 

 watchful habit has been brought about by persecution, gardeners 

 and fruit-growers being deadly enemies to hawfinches on account 

 of their depredations ; but in the forests of North Africa, Mr. Charles 

 Dixon found the bird just as vigilant and quick to take alarm as in 

 England. 



Hawfinches are rather silent birds : when flying from tree to 

 tree in small flocks they utter a call-note with a clicking sound, and 

 hi spring the male sometimes emits a few low notes by way of 

 song. 



The nest is placed in a tree, or bush, or hedge, a thorn being the 

 tree most frequently chosen for a site. The nest is rather large 

 and well made, outwardly of twigs, dead stalks, and lichen, inside 

 of dry grass, and lined with rootlets and a little hair. The eggs are 

 four to six in number, pale olive or bluish green in ground-colour, 

 spotted with black, and irregularly streaked with dark olive. In 



