34 



THE BULLFINCH, 



Also called in different parts of England^ 

 the Alp, Nope, orThick-bill,isawell known 

 bird, being found in almost every part 

 of this island, though not so plentifully as 

 most other singing birds, a circumstance, 

 perhaps, owing to the continual warfare 

 which is carried on against them, on ac^ 

 count of the injury they do in orchards 

 and gardens during the Spring, by devour- 

 ing the flower-buds of fruit trees, particu- 

 larly those of the peach, pear, and apple. 

 Bewick, however, notwithstanding the above 

 fact is well known, says in his description 

 of this bird, that, '* in the Spring it fre- 

 quents gardens, where it is usefully busy 

 in destroying the w^orms which are lodged 

 in the young tender buds." The bullfinch 

 also feeds on insects, berries, and seeds of 

 various kinds, such as rape, canary, hemp, 

 &c. 



