128 FRINGILLID.E. 



alarm, they quickly dispersed to the topmost boughs of the 

 neighbouring lofty trees, where they remained, if not further 

 molested, till the danger had passed, and then returned 

 quickly to their meal.'' 1 



" In the winter season, and especially during severe wea- 

 ther, these birds are frequently seen in the neighbourhood 

 of the forest, in large flocks of from fifty to a hundred or 

 more, feeding on the seeds of hornbeam, to which they ap- 

 pear to be particularly partial ; and as spring advances they 

 disperse into retired spots to breed. I am inclined to think 

 that their shy habits, together with their being a very local 

 species, has led to their having remained so long unobserved : 

 and I much doubt their numbers being increased by a winter 

 migration from other countries, their apparent numbers, at 

 that season, being probably only the result of their congre- 

 gating together, and becoming more bold in their approach to 

 our gardens and orchards. 11 



Previous to the investigations of the two gentlemen just 

 mentioned, so little had been known respecting the summer 

 residence of this species in England, that one specimen only 

 was spoken of by Latham, as having occurred in the summer 

 months : and in the second edition of Selby's Illustrations of 

 British Ornithology, allusion is made to their breeding in 

 Windsor Forest. 



The Hawfinch doubtless inhabits permanently other parts 

 of England, where woodland and forest districts are to be 

 found of a similar character ; and it is to be hoped that 

 other naturalists, conveniently situated to make the investi- 

 gation, will be enabled to add to the limited localities at pre- 

 sent known. 



These birds are said to belong chiefly to the warmer coun- 

 tries of Europe, namely, France, Italy, and Germany ; where 

 they also breed. In Belgium, says M. Julien Deby, Haw- 

 finches migrate in spring and autumn, but pairs and small 



