BULFINCH. 



157 



INSESSORES. FRINGILLIDM. 



CONIROSTRES. 



PLATE CXX. 



BULFINCH. 



Pyrrhula vulgaris. 



The well known Bulfinch is one of our most beautiful 

 British Birds, and being attractive in its manners, and re- 

 markable for docility and attachment to its possessor when 

 caged, is a general favourite. This species is indigenous in 

 the middle and northern regions of Europe and Asia. It is 

 partial to woods and forests, and is consequently found to 

 inhabit, in great numbers, the extensive forests of Germany. 

 In its southern range this species extends throughout Europe, 

 but is far less abundant towards its southern kingdom, and 

 known in some only as a winter migrant. This is the case 

 in some of the islands of the Mediterranean : " in Corfu, 1 ' 

 says Mr. Drummond in his list of the birds that frequent 

 that island, " this species is rare, and seen only in winter." 

 This is probably the southern equatorial limit of the Bul- 

 finch, as it is not mentioned by the same gentleman among 

 the birds of Crete. In Belgium these birds occur, and, ac- 

 cording to Mr. J. Derby, nestle in extensive forests and 

 wooded situations among the rocks. This bird is indigenous 

 in Scotland, and is considered by the Rev. G. Gordon as 

 much more common in Moray than the Goldfinch. In 

 Shetland, from the information of Thomas Edmonston, jun., 

 Esq., the Bulfinch is only a straggler. Temminck speaks of 



