100 SERIN FINCH. 



1859, shortly after a severe storm. Mr. Rowley also 

 ("Ibis," January, 1861,) alludes to other specimens 

 having been taken near Brighton. 



The Serin Finch is generally a migratory bird, 

 quitting its summer and breeding ground in October, 

 and returning the following March; but in the mild 

 climate of the Rhine, Naumann tells us it remains all 

 the year round. 



It lives most frequently in fruit-gardens, orchards, 

 or avenues of wallnut or nut-trees, and vineyards; 

 more rarely in oak and beech woods, and loves to 

 dwell among willows and alders, on the banks of brooks 

 and rivers, as well as in garden-trees in the middle 

 of villages or near buildings. Naumann, from whom 

 I am now quoting, further remarks that wherever it 

 lives in summer, it makes itself known by its restless 

 habits, and its custom of always singing on the sum- 

 mit of the tree tops, from which it often flies down 

 to the roofs of buildings. In autumn it is more retired, 

 but remains long on the thick tree tops. 



It seeks its food principally on the ground, on 

 which account it is often seen there, but never very 

 far from trees and bushes, and still less in the open 

 fields. It does not seem to like fir or pine woods. 

 In its movements it is very lively and active, springing 

 from branch to branch, very much like the Siskin or 

 Common Linnet, and it willingly associates with these 

 birds, particularly the Siskin. They are generally seen 

 in pairs or small flocks, and the pairs do not seem to 

 separate during the whole year, but "cling to each 

 other with the utmost affection and tenderness." If 

 one is accidentally separated from the other, they call 

 assiduously until they are again united. 



The male is very lively in the beautiful spring 



