THE BULFINCH. 



269 



(**>) Order, Passeres, (Linn.) Bulflnch. 



The Bulfinch, {Loxia Pyrrhula,) Red-hoop, Hoop, Tony- 

 hoop, Alp, or Nope, is so well known as to need little descrip- 

 tion. The head, wings, and tail, are black ; the breast and 

 belly red ; the upper tail coverts and vent white. The male is 

 distinguished from the female by the superior blackness of his 

 crown, and by the rich crimson which adorns his cheeks, breast, 

 belly, and throat ; those parts of the female being of a dirty 

 buff colour. The plumage is, however, variable, some indi- 

 viduals being wholly black; others white, with black spots on 

 the back. About six inches long. 



This is one of the few species of birds of which the female also 

 sings. See Mr. Sweet's letter in the Introduction. This bird 

 is so docile that, having but two or three harsh notes, it becomes, 

 by regular education, proficient in music. It may be taught to 

 speak as well as sing. It is found in our woods and thickets 

 throughout the year; seen sometimes in gardens attacking the 

 buds of plums, and generally considered destructive to them ; 

 but its object, most probably, is not the bud itself, but the worm 

 in it. Builds in a black or white thorn bush ; eggs four or five ? 

 bluish white, speckled and streaked with purple. 



