PASSERINE BIRDS. 103 



under peculiar circumstances that they travel beyond their native land, and are therefore but rarely 

 seen in the south of Spain or Greece. They pass their time in flying from one tree to another, only 

 alighting upon the ground when driven to do so by dire necessity. Their habits are very cheerful, 

 and calculated to render them favourites with all who observe them attentively. One of the 

 most distinguishing characteristics of these creatures is their attachment to each other. Should 

 one of them be killed they cannot endure to leave their companion on the ground, and make every 

 effort to take the body with them. This habit is the more striking when the party consists of only a 

 few birds, and has frequently quite touched our heart. On one occasion in particular, we had shot 

 one of two males that were perched upon a hedge ; the other immediately flew away to a considerable 

 distance, but very shortly afterwards we saw it return to the spot upon which its little associate 

 had fallen. 



The Bullfinch hops over the ground in a somewhat ungainly manner, but is most adroit in its 

 movements upon trees. Sometimes it will rest upon a branch with its body in a horizontal position 

 and its feet stretched out, and at others will perch bolt upright, or hang head downwards from the 

 twigs. Its long and fleecy feathers are but rarely laid close down upon its sides, thus causing it to 

 seem much larger than it really is. Whilst eating or flying it presents a somewhat more compact 

 appearance, but when in a cage always allows its plumage to droop about its body. A tree full of 

 these birds is a very pretty sight, the red colour on their breasts being seen to great advantage 

 among the green foliage, and in winter their bright plumage contrasts prettily with the snow. The 

 Bullfinch does not exhibit much sensibility to cold, and is lively and cheerful even during our 

 most severe winters, always of course supposing that it can find sufficient food ; such powers of 

 endurance are easily explained if we consider the thickness of its feathers, and this density of 

 plumage has considerable influence upon its flight, which is slow and undulating, much resembling 

 that of the Chaffinch, owing to its habit of alternately extending and shutting its wings ; it will 

 sometimes hover in the air, and then plunge suddenly with closed pinions upon the selected spot. 

 The call-note is a plaintive cry, employed by botli sexes, generally uttered when flying, or about 

 to perch or quit their resting-place, and is capable of a considerable variety of expressions — 

 another proof of the delicate organisation possessed by these interesting birds ; for sounds which to 

 our grosser ears appear almost identical, have to them innumerable significations. The song of the 

 male is in no way peculiar, and somewhat harsh ; it may be heard almost throughout the entire year. 

 Seeds of trees and grasses constitute the principal food of this species, and it will also devour 

 the kernels of fruit. The seeds of fir and pine trees are obtained by picking them from the ground, 

 as the little creature is unable to rob the cone of its contents, though it can extract the stones from 

 fruit with great dexterity, throwing away the outer part as unfit for food. Its presence upon a tree 

 is often indicated during the winter by the quantities of refuse thus disposed of. Grains of sand are 

 always necessary to this bird, in order to assist digestion ; the young are fed principally upon insects. 

 In Europe the Bullfinch makes its nest by preference in such retired spots as are well covered with 

 trees, though it will occasionally settle in parks or large gardens, and we have heard of an instance 

 in which a little pair built in the ivy that surrounded the lodge of a gentleman's seat. The nest is 

 usually placed at no great distance from the earth, either in the forked branch of a low bush, or 

 on the ground, snugly supported against the trunk of a tree ; indeed, so invariably do they choose 

 these situations, that their nests have never been found at any considerable height. In its general 

 construction the little dwelling resembles that of the Greenfinch, being formed externally of small 

 portions of fir, birch, or pine twigs, upon which a second layer, composed of fibres from various 

 roots, is placed, and this again is lined with the hair of the deer or horse ; sometimes a little wool is 

 mixed with the horsehair. In May, from three to four small, round, smootii eggs are deposited in the 



