310 CLASS AVES. 



the year ; pair in May, and build their nest of moss, lined 

 with hair and feathers, generally in hedges. The eggs, five 

 in number, are of a bluish white, speckled with brown ; 

 during the incubation of the female, her mate is busily em- 

 ployed in providing food for her, which he disgorges from 

 the crop, in the manner of pigeons ; at intervals he may be 

 frequently seen flying in a circle, round above the nest, fall- 

 ing suddenly, and displaying many signs of vivacity and 

 pleasure. In winter these birds associate with linnets, 

 chaffinches, and others of the order. 



They are not observed to feed at all on insects, but to 

 confine themselves to berries, grain, the buds of trees, and 

 the like. They are easily reconciled to captivity, may be 

 made very familiar ; and, as it is said, may be taught to pro- 

 nounce words. 



The Ring Finch, Frmgilla Petronia, though very like 

 the sparrow, is distinguishable as indicated in the text. It 

 is found principally in Germany and in other parts of 

 Europe, but not in this country. It is migratory, and asso- 

 ciates in flocks during winter. It builds in the holes of 

 trees, and is mostly attached to forests, living both on seeds 

 and insects. This, like the last, is easily tamed, and recon- 

 ciled to confinement. 



The Common, or Haw Grosbeak, (Loxia Coccothraustes). 

 This bird is about twelve inches long. It is by no means a 

 common bird even in those parts of Europe which it never 

 quits : with us it is migratory, arriving here in small parties 

 in the autumn, and quitting again in April. In France it is 

 found all the year, in the woods during summer, but near 

 houses in winter. The male has a weak, unpleasant cry, 

 which, when the bird is hurt or angry, is not unlike the 

 noise made by a file. The haw-grosbeak builds its nest in 

 a tree, ten or twelve feet from the ground, in the angle 



