CHAPTER YIII. 



The Hawfinch. 



Loxia cocGothraiistes, Lin. ; Grosbec, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Hawfinch is not a likely 

 bird to attract the attention of a casual observer, as its appear- 

 ance is more peculiar than pleasing. It has a large head 

 and an immense bill, as compared with the size of its body, 

 and might be termed very appropriately the Parrot Finch, on 

 account of its strong resemblance, in general conformation, to 

 the African Grey Parrot. 



The entire length of the bird is Tin. Of this, the tail 

 measures 2in., and the bill, which is very massive, ^in. in 

 length by Ifin. round the root at the base. The head, 

 •cheeks, and sides of throat of the male bird are of a rich 

 deep brown, strongly tinged with chestnut, the forehead being 

 a little paler. There is a black spot in front of each eye, 

 and the throat, or gullet, is also black. The beak is of a 

 peculiar bright, silvery leaden appearance, with a refulgent 

 sheen, which resembles the silver grey ground colour of 

 mother-of-pearl. The back part of the neck is grey ; the 

 back and shoulders, dark brown ; the rump and tail coverts, 

 chestnut brown. The tail is black, with a large white spot 

 at the end of each feather. The wings are black, with 

 bars of white in the centre, and shaded at the ends with 

 purple and green. The smaller coverts are dark brown, the 

 secondary, chestnut brown and grey, and those which cover 

 the butts (scapulars) of the primary flight feathers, black. 

 The lower part of the throat, breast, belly, and sides are 



