90 FRINGILL1D.E. 



this treasure, which contained five eggs. The nest was 

 placed close against the stem of the elm, and supported 

 by the small tufty branches that feathered it : it was well 

 concealed among the leafing, and about six feet from the 

 ground. 



This nest, which accords perfectly in every respect of 

 construction, and in the colour of the eggs, with that above 

 mentioned as received from Suffolk, is composed externally 

 of a basket-work of large roots and birch-twigs, curiously 

 interwoven ; within this external frame are many delicate 

 fibrous roots, intermixed with green moss, and the lining 

 is composed of wool, some grass-like fibres, cows-hair, and 

 a few dark horse-hairs : the eggs, five in number, exactly 

 resembled, when fresh, the figure in the plate; but after a 

 few weeks, the rich claret colour lost its brilliancy, and be- 

 came dark brown. 



This was not the only occasion on which we have met 

 with the Bramble Finch in seasons when it is supposed 

 not to be in this country : in the summer of 1844, we heard 

 frequently, in our garden in Surrey, its peculiar and musical 

 note, Chip-u-way ! Chip-u-way ! with which we were well 

 acquainted, having had birds of this species in confinement. 

 Surrey is probably a favourable county for this species, on 

 account of its hills and woods ; the partiality of the bird for 

 such districts being well known. 



In confinement, this species may be kept without diffi- 

 culty, and soon becomes accustomed to cage food, prefer- 

 ring seeds. It is rather quarrelsome when kept with other 

 small birds, occasionally pecking its weaker neighbours. 

 Although we possessed a fine old male bird for some years, 

 we could never detect it making any attempt to sing, be- 

 yond the note before mentioned, with which it occasionally 

 amused itself. The syllables chip-u-way are usually re- 

 peated in succession and singly, the first shrill and rather 



