Birds of Britain 

 THE BRAMBLING 



Fringilla montifringilla, Linnsus 



This bird, closely allied to the Chaffinch, is only a 

 winter visitor to this country, visiting us in large numbers 

 every autumn, when it will usually be found feeding on the 

 beech-mast. In years when the " mast " is plentiful these 

 birds seem to be much more numerous than in other seasons, 

 but this is probably due to the fact that, tempted by the 

 abundance of food, they elect to pass the winter with us 

 instead of moving on southwards. Frequenting the open 

 field in company with other Finches, it feeds also largely on 

 seeds and berries, though in summer it becomes, like the 

 Chaffinch, chiefly insectivorous. Its breeding range extends 

 across Europe and Asia, in the sub- Arctic birch forests, 

 whence it migrates southwards through Central Europe, but 

 seldom reaching the Mediterranean basin. In our islands it 

 is commonest in the north and east, becoming scarce in the 

 west and south-west. In Ireland it has only occurred at 

 very irregular intervals. It commences the return journey 

 in March or earlier, the actual time being largely dependent 

 on the state of the weather, and by the first week in April 

 the last stragglers have usually left us. 



The male in summer has the head, nape, and upper parts 

 blue black, with the exception of the rump, which is white 

 Upper wing coverts orange buff; greater wing coverts 

 black tipped with white. Throat and breast orange ; belly 

 white ; flanks spotted with black. Bill deep lead grey. In 



128 



