Donng autumn the Hawfinch vlfits this country in fmall 
flocks, confifting of from fix to twelve birds, but is not nume- 
rous in any part of England ; fume are annually feen in the 
marfhfcs oi Hackney and Flaillow, near London, and we re- 
member to have feen a flock feeding on the berries of the 
mountain afh, near Aldborough-Park, Surrey ; whiifl feeding, 
they feemed very reftlefs and v^ere continually tvi^ittering ; 
they fly heavily and near the ground. 
The food of this bird confifls of the berries of the haw- 
thorn (whence its name) privet, mountain~afh, and fervice ; 
it is ailonilhing to fee with what facility this bird breaks the 
ftones to get at the kernels; Mr. Montague fays " they 
break them with as much eafe as other fmall birds break 
hemp -feed." 
The nefl is compofed of dried fibres, intermixed with 
liver- wort, and lined with finer materials ; the eggs are of a 
bluifh green, fpotted with olive brown, with a few irregular 
black markings.'* Its provincial names are Cherryfinch^ 
Hawfinch, Bull-head, and this with the Crofsbill is in fomc 
parts called Shell- Apple. 
For our fpecimen "we are indebted to A. Harrison, Efq. 
of Parliament'-Street* 
