The Hawfinch. 



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ctestnut brown ; the vent and under tail coverts are grey, 

 slightly tinged with yellowish brown ; the legs, feet, and 

 claws, are brownish flesh colour. 



Hawfinches are exceedingly shy, and difficult to approach, 

 especially in an open country. They appear to delight in 

 woodlands and dense thickets, in secluded situations ; and 

 as these are generally preserved lands, and, consequently, 

 difficult of access, much mystery is attached to the habits 

 of the birds that might otherwise be elucidated. The chief 

 recommendation which the Hawfinch appears to possess is its 

 extreme docility when once it becomes domesticated. It can 

 be made so tame, by frequent handling and kind treatment, 

 that it may be carried about perched on the finger, and, 

 when thoroughly accustomed to its owner and its domicile, 

 will not attempt to fly away, even when an opportunity is 

 afforded it. 



Habits and Bebeding. — The Hawfinch is partly migratory 

 and partly indigenous. It is common in Germany and other 

 European countries, where it breeds regularly. It likewise 

 breeds in some parts of Essex, Kent, Surrey, and Buckingham- 

 shire, but more particularly in the neighbourhood of Epping 

 Forest. It has also been known to breed as far north as 

 Worcestershire, and even Staffordshire. Hawfinches frequent 

 beech-trees, holly and whitethorn bushes, and here they build 

 their nests, which are composed of dried twigs, root fibres, 

 and lichens, lined with fine grass and hair. The hen lays, 

 twice a year, from three to five eggs, of a greenish grey 

 colour, speckled and striped with brown and blackish blue 

 spots and marks. 



Methods of Capture. — In the autumn and winter 

 months, when the weather is severe and food scarce, these 

 birds may be taken with the geldert (or gildert), baited with 

 hemp seed or service berries ; they may also be caught with 

 the decoy bush and limed twigs, or with the day net. 

 Hunger makes them bold, otherwise they are very shy birds, 

 and difficult to capture. 



Food and Treatment. — In a wild state the Hawfinch lives 

 principally on seeds and berries, such as those of the beech, 

 ash, and hornbeam. It will eat the seed of lettuce, cabbage, 

 charlock, and several other kinds ; also service and laurel 

 berries, haws and sloes (the fruit of the blackthorn), plums 



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