CHAPTER XI. 



The Mountain, or Bramble Finch. 



Fringilla montifringilla, Lin. ; Pinson Ardennes, Buf. 



Desoeiption and Character. — This very pretty and some- 

 what uncommon bird is only a winter visitant to this 

 country, although it is common enough throughout Europe, 

 and in some countries is very plentiful. It has been found 

 in most, if not all, the counties of England, at one period 

 or another, and has been frequently seen in different parts 

 of Scotland and Ireland. An adult male measures, from 

 tip of bill to end of tail, 6-Jin., the length of the tail 

 being 2^in. The beak is straight, stout, and strong, and, 

 as in most Finches, is thick at the base and tapers away 

 to a point. In colour it is a dirty flesh tint, with a 

 black mark at the tip. 



The top of the head is covered with a well-formed, beauti- 

 ful, dark cap, of a rich bluish black. A line of black sur- 

 rounds the base of the bill. The face, or cheeks, and hinder 

 part of neck and back, are of a lovely golden reddish 

 brown colour, richly ornamented with black spots and 

 short stripes of various shapes, forming a sort of pattern or 

 device. At the back of the head is a white spot. The 

 rump is white, the tail feathers black, some of those in the 

 centre being edged with white on the outer margins ; the tail 

 coverts, golden rufous brown and black intermixed. The 

 shoulders and small coverts are of a bright golden chestnut 

 colour, and immediately below this is a deep black velvety 

 band, then another rich golden chestnut stripe, followed by 



