GREENFINCH. 



FRINGILLA CHL0R1S, Briss. 



Fringilla chloris, Briss. Orn. iii. p. 190 (1760) ; Naum. v. 

 p. 62. 



Linaria chloris, Macg. i. p. 365 . 



Coccothraustes chloris, Hewitson, i. p. 204 ; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. 

 p. 105. 



Ligurinus chloris, Dresser, iii. p. 567. 



Verdier ordinaire, French ; Grunfinke, German ; Verderdn, 

 Verddn, Spanish. 



This bird, which is perhaps more generally known 

 under the name of Green Linnet, is exceedingly common 

 in most parts of our islands that are in any way suited 

 to its habits. It is perhaps more specially addicted to 

 roosting amongst evergreen shrubs than any other of 

 our British Finches, but these shrubs are by no means 

 essential to its welfare. 



The Greenfinch is not much of a singer as far as the 

 quality of its performance is concerned, nor can it lay 

 claim to beauty of form or colour ; but, although it 

 commits a certain amount of damage in gardens, I am 

 of opinion that this detriment is more than compensated 

 for by the great amount of benefit rendered to us by 

 these birds in destroying thousands of noxious insects in 

 every stage of their development. 



