422 HAW GROSBEAK. Class II. 



ries, and even on the hardest kernels, such as 

 those of cherries and almonds, which they crack 

 with the greatest facility: their bills are well 

 adapted to that work, being remarkably thick 

 and strong. Mr. IVillughby tells us, they are 

 common in Germany and Italy; that in the 

 summer they live in woods, and breed in hollow 

 trees, or in holes in the walls of churches, laying 

 five or six eggs ; but in the winter they come 

 down into the plains. 

 Descrip- This species weighs nearly two ounces : its 

 length is seven inches ; the breadth thirteen. 

 The bill is of a funnel shape, strong, thick, and 

 of a dull pale pink color ; at the base are some 

 orange colored feathers : the irides are grey ; 

 the crown of the head and cheeks of a fine deep 

 bay; the chin black; from the bill to the eyes 

 is a black line; the breast and whole under 

 side is of a dirty flesh color ; the neck ash-co- 

 lored ; the back and coverts of the wings of a 

 deep brown, those of the tail of a yellowish 

 bay : the greater quil feathers are black, marked 

 with white on their inner webs. The tail is 



White records another instance at the same season, and says 

 that it had the kernels of damsons in its stomach.* These might 

 possibly have bred here, though we have no authority for it ever 

 being the case." J. L. 



* Natur. Calend. 41. 



