5384 AVES—BULFINCH...LINNET. 
The others of this genus in the United States are the pine grosbeak, the 
blue grosbeak, the rose-breasted grosbeak, the evening grosbeak, and the 
spotted grosbeak. 
THE BULFIN CH? 
Is one of the most common of European birds. When at its full growth it 
measures, from the point of the bill to the end of the tail, six inches, of 
which the tail is two. It has a short black bill, very strong and crooked, 
the upper part hanging over the under side, like that of a hawk; the tongue 
is short, and the eyes of a hazel color; the head and neck in proportion to 
the body are larger than in the generality of small birds, from which, most 
probably, they derived their name. In some places they are called ropes; 
in others, thick-bills, and in some red-hoops, or tony-hoops, probably from 
their wild hooping kind of note. 
The bulfinch makes its nest of an ordinary mean fabric, in bushes, in 
which the female lays four or five eggs of a bluish color, with dark brown 
and reddish spots. The nest so closely resembles the surrounding foliage in 
color, that it is not easily to be discovered. In the summer it mostly fre- 
quents woods, and the more retired places; but in winter it approaches 
gardens and orchards, where in spring it makes great havoc among the buds 
of trees. It is probable, however, that it attacks the buds for the sake of 
the included insects. 
The cock 1s in size equal to the hen, but has a flatter crown, and excels 
ner in the beauty of his colors. Ina state of nature, this bird has but three 
cries, all of which are unpleasant; but if man designs to instruct it metho- 
dically, and accustoms it to fine, mellower, and more lengthened strains, it 
will listen with attention; and the docile bird, whether male or female, 
without relinquishing its native airs, will imitate exactly, and sometimes 
even surpass, its master. It also learns to articulate words and sentences. 
THE EVROPEAN LINNET? 
Tus favorite bird, which is universally admired for the melody of its 
voice, is in length, from the point of the bill to the end of the tail, five 

1 Loxia vulgaris, Lin. 
2 Fringilla cannabina, Lin. The genus Fringilla has the bill short, stout, straight 
and conical; upper mandible gibbous, depressed above, a little inclined at the point; 
nostrils basal, round, placed near the forehead, and partially concealed by the feathers in 
front; tarsus shorter ‘hen the middle toe, and the fore toes entirely divided; wings short, 
the third and fourth quills the longest; tail of varied form. 
J 
