186 



THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



footpath in a large wood, and within ten days after 

 the taking of the young Hawfinches was occupied by 

 a Wood-Pigeon, who added a few twigs to the nest, 

 and thereupon hatched and reared two young. I 

 have been informed of the nesting of Hawfinches at 

 Deene, Weldon, Bulwick, and near Northampton, so 

 that we may now reckon this species as a regular 

 resident in our county. The Hawfinch is a very shy 

 and wary bird, by no means easy to approach, but in 

 captivity becomes very familiar, and though its vocal 



I£a"wiirLch. . 



capabilities are not remarkable, is amusing from its 

 grotesque manners and attitudes. In the winter 

 months the food of this species consists of beech- 

 mast, the seeds of the hornbeam, and the kernels of 

 haws and other berries. I have often noticed that 

 the Hawfinch rejects the flesh or pulp of fruit, and 

 appears to care only for the seed or kernels, for 



