THE CHAFFINCHES. 
37 
as to resemble the surrounding of the branches on which it is 
placed. The lining consists of horse-hair, feathers, and down. 
Eggs. — Four to six. Very variable in tint, ranging from 
bluish stone-colour to clear blue. In the former instance the 
markings consist of a reddish or pink wash over the eggs, i 
which are dotted here and there with bold spots of black or 
reddish brown. In the blue type of egg, the underlying spots 
are pale violet and the upper spots and scratches are purplish 
or black, and are generally congregated round the larger end. 
Axis, o'75-o' 8 ; diam., o'55~o'6. 
THE BRAMBLING. FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA. 
(Plate VII.) 
Fringilla montifringilla, Linn., S. N., i., p. 318 (1766) ; Macg., 
Br. B., i., p. 335 (1837) ; Dresser, B. Eur., iv., p. 15, pi. 184 
(1871) ; Newt. ed. Yarr., ii., p. 75 (1876); B. O. U. List 
Br. B., p. 52 (1883) ; Sharpe, Cat, B. Brit. Mus., xii., p. 
178 (1888) ; Saunders, Man., p. 177 (1889). 
Adult Male. — Differs from the Chaffinch in the white band 
across the rump and in its variegated plumage. Head and 
mantle blue-black ; flanks spotted with black ; a white specu- 
mm on the wing, formed by the white base to the inner 
Primaries ; sides of face black like the crown ; under surface 
Pale orange-rufous, the abdomen white; bill bluish black ; feet 
reddish brown; iris hazel. Total length, 6'2 inches ; culmen, 
0 55 ; wing, 3-5 ; tail, 2'45; tarsus, 075. 
Adult Female. — Differs from the male in being much duller 
an d browner in colour. 
"inter, when the Brambling visits England, the colours 
th r 6 a< ^ u ^ bird are obscured by sandy-coloured margins to 
t ? e | eat; hers, which gradually wear off, leaving the feathers of 
vi breeding plumage in their full beauty. The bill is yellow 
with a blackish tip. 
Eange in Great Britain. — A winter visitor only, arriving some- 
imes in enormous flocks. 
Bange outside the British Islands. — Europe and Northern Asia 
0 Japan. Breeds in Scandinavia up to lat. 6o°, and in 
