CITRIL FINCH. 107 



tally only in Germany and the north of France, and, 

 according to Temminck, never in Holland. It is by 

 no means a rare bird in Spain, nor in Switzerland. 

 It leaves Germany and Switzerland in October in 

 flocks, and returns in March, or April. It is also 

 found in those parts of Asia and Africa which abut 

 on the European border. Captain Loche says it occurs 

 only accidentally in Algeria. 



Thus limited to the southern parts of Europe, the 

 Citril Finch is nevertheless a true Alpine bird, living 

 not only among the smaller hills, but frequenting the 

 highest Alpine mountains as far as the arboreal region 

 extends. It is found, says Naumann, in the upper 

 dark forests which are broken here and there by 

 open plains overgrown with grass, and rocky precipices. 

 Count Miihle says it is rare in Greece evervwhere 

 except in the mountains. 



The following account of its habits is from Naumann: 

 — It is a cheerful restless little bird, very active in 

 its movements, and somewhat shy. It seems alwavs 

 full of joy, and is constantly heard even in bad 

 weather, or in the middle of alpine snoAv and storms. 

 It is never known to stay long in the same place ; 

 and appears in constant motion, turning its tail from 

 side to side, hopping or fluttering among the boughs 

 of the trees, or on the earth when it seeks its food; 

 its spring is quick, its deportment fearless. In all this 

 its affinity with the Siskin is remarkable. It resembles 

 it also in its flight, especially that of passage. It seems 

 alike indifferent to weather or temperature, and only 

 departs from its mountain home, when the ground is 

 frozen, and there is a deficiency of food. 



Its note is a gentle piping, described by some as 

 f gu,' by others as 'qjiul' or 'qjiub.' This call is 



