98 FINCH. 



southern parts of England, the complete history will, perhaps for 

 some time to come, be unknown. The bird, however, is not uncom- 

 mon in the winter months, in the warmer counties of England, and 

 about London known by the name of the Stone Redpoll ; seen 

 often in large flocks. It breeds in Wales, also in Yorkshire, and no 

 doubt other places towards the north. Mr. Pennant found the nest 

 on an alder stump, near a brook, about two or three feet from the 

 ground ; it was composed of dried stalks, and other plants, intermixed 

 with wool, and lined with hair and feathers ; the eggs four, of a pale 

 bluish green, thickly sprinkled near the blunt end, with small red- 

 dish spots. The bird so tenacious of her nest, as to suffer herself to 

 be taken off" by the hand, and when released would not forsake it. 

 We received one of the nests from the late Mr. Bolton, of Yorkshire ; 

 this was made of bents, with moss, and the down of the willow, and 

 warmly lined with the latter. Authors mention, that this bird is fond of 

 the seeds of alder: this we can vouch for, having seen them many times 

 mixed with the Siskins, in great numbers, picking the seeds of that 

 tree in winter, and frequently with their backs downwards ; and knew 

 a person so adroit, as to take many in a day, by means of a long twig 

 smeared with birdlime, fastened to a pole ; being so intent on what 

 they were about, as not to heed what passed beneath them. 



This species is plentiful throughout Europe, from the extreme 

 part of Russia to Italy ; and probably, as it is at all times seen at 

 Gibraltar, may possibly proceed occasionally to the African shore ? 

 especially as large flights are seen at the former iu spring and autumn, 

 independent of those which reside constantly ; is very common in 

 Greenland, and has been seen at Aoonalashka. In America is a 

 well-known species, and most likely common to the whole northern 

 part of the globe. We have seen drawings, of what appeared to be 

 a Linnet, from both India and China, and of different sizes, but do 

 not recollect any markings of red either on the forehead or breast. 



