bad seasons for this fruit the Brambling seldom visits 
us in any considerable numbers. On the other hand, 
when this crop is plentiful the Bramblings flock in 
hundreds to regale thereon, and generally remain until 
they and other birds have cleared their harvest. In 
severe weather they betake themselves to the stack- 
yards, and occasionally, but in my experience rarely, to 
the open fields with the other Finches. 
Compared with its near relation, the Chaffinch, this 
species is somewhat shy and wary, but in general 
habits it much resembles that bird. The ordinary 
call or alarm-note of the Brambling is a somewhat 
sharply uttered, sibilant monosyllable, that bears a 
certain affinity m sound to the “pink, pink” of the 
Chaflinch, but is much harsher. ‘The song has a re- 
semblance to that of the Yellow Bunting, and con- 
cludes with a long-drawn note very like the tiresome 
drawl of the Greenfinch. The present species breeds 
abundantly in Norway in the pie and birch forests. 
A nest sent to me from that country many years ago 
much resembled that of the Chaffinch, but was larger 
and had no lichen in its structure, being built of green 
moss, with small strips of birch-bark, and lined with, 
as I believe, human hairs, a little wool, and a few 
feathers,—amongst these I recognized one from the 
breast of the Goshawk. 
The few eggs of this species that I have seen are 
hardly to be distinguished from those of the Chaffinch. 
I have kept many Bramblings in our aviaries; but 
although there are numerous records of their breeding 
in captivity, I have only known of one completed nest at 
