DESERT TRUMPETER BULLFINCH. 91 



Europeenne," with the following remarks: — The size 

 of the Boitvreuil ponceau is constantly larger than that 

 of the common species; there is a difference in the 

 proportions of their wing primaries, in the strength of 

 their note, and it is certain that they always flock 

 separately." 



Bonaparte, who admits it into his "Conspectus Avium 

 Europsearum," 1850, and in his "Critique," p. 27, makes 

 the following remarks about it: — "I would not answer for 

 this not being in reality a constant race or species, evi- 

 dently that which Graba would have represented in his 

 work upon northern birds." 



Lastly, Dubois admits it as a distinct species, under 

 the designation of Pyrrhula coccinea, Leisler, and re- 

 marks upon it: — "This bird is in many respects like the 

 Waxen Chatterer, appearing only from time to time. 

 Sometimes it is not seen for several years, and then 

 shews itself in great numbers. These Bullfinches have 

 their periodical migrations, and unite together sometimes 

 in large, and at other times in small flocks before 

 starting. They have been seen in Belgium in 1836, 

 1840, 1846, and 1850; but in the autumn of 1855, there 

 was such a number taken, that they might have been 

 bought by the dozen at the game-dealers. Our learned 

 naturalist M. Le Baron Selys-Longchamps, had the honour 

 of being the first to figure this bird in his "Faune 

 Beige," and other naturalists have followed his example. 

 This Bullfinch has been long known as the Great 

 Bullfinch among bird-catchers. Naturalists have con- 

 founded it with the Common, although from its size 

 it ought to form a separate species, and it is never 

 known to join the Common Bullfinch when they assemble 

 for their periodical migrations. It is distinguished by a 

 more brilliant red and greater development of the white 



