FRIXGILL1D.E. 63 



Greenfinch. LiguHnus chloris (Linn.). 

 [Green Linnet.] 



Eesident in part, generally distributed and abnndant. Breeds. 



Large flocks arrive in autumn, remaining till March. Great numbers 

 visited the neighbourhood of Plj-mouth during the winter of Ibti-i-S, 

 especially at the Docks where ships were discharging their cargoes of grain. 

 (J. G., Zool. 1SS5, p. 377.) 



In iy54 a Greenfinch's nest was found in the garden at Xewport, near 

 Topsham, composed entirely of the downy achenes of the garden anemone, 

 and being from choice sorts was estimated to contain at least ten shillings' 

 M'orth of seed. In winter we find it extremely destructive to the benies 

 of the Cotoneaster, but it does some good by eating the seeds of dandelion 

 and other weeds. 



It also commits many a theft in the kitchen-garden, where it will devour 

 the cabbage and other seeds directly they germinate, unless the beds are 

 protected with nets. A pair of Greenfinches actually placed their nest in 

 some ivy on a wall of our garden, close above our seed-bed, in order that 

 they might be handy to this favourite food. Without possessing anything 

 in the way of song to render it attractive, the Green Linnet is, neverthe- 

 less, a very enterlainiug cage-bird, becoming very tame and fearless, and 

 we have known it to live in confinement for ten or twelve years. It 

 begins to build in April, and nests with eggs may be found up to August. 



Hawfinch. Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pall. 



[Grosbeak.] 



A winter visitor of irregular occurrence in small numbers from October 

 to April. It is sometimes seen in breeding-plumage in spring near Exeter, 

 and it has been known to nest near Kiugsbridge. 



It has been obtained at Plymouth, Kiugsbridge, Milton Abbot, Ash- 

 burton, Starcross, Exmouth, Exeter, Christow, and Barnstaple. It is an 

 occasional visitor to Lundy Island (Trans. Devon. Assoc, iv. p. 605 ; viii. 

 p. 300). 



" A few years ago a pair of Hawfinches bred in the plantation near 

 Woolston House, Loddiswell. The nest was found containing eggs. They 

 were allowed to hatch. The old birds reared their young, whicli remained 

 in the neighbourhood through tlie greater part of the following winter, 

 and were frequently seen during that time " (H. N., MS. A'^otes). Of this 

 family one old and two young Ijirds \\'ere shot, and are in the possession of 

 Mrs. Elliot, Tresilian House, Kiugsbridge (E. A. S. E., MS. Xotes). 



"We only know of the Hawlincli as an occasional winter visitor to Xorth 

 Devon, where it is seldom seen Ijeforc January or Eebruary. We often saw 

 it during the winter and spring months in our garden at Bishop's Lydeard, 

 near Taunton, Avhcre one spring a i)air remained with us for several 

 months, and were very destructive to our rows of peas, but disappuintud 



