THE HAWFINCH. 
considerable resemblance. The hawfinch, however, is more a 
woodland bird than the greenfinch, and feeds chiefly on the 
seeds and kernels of wild fruits. 
It is by no means an unhandsome bird ; the leaden-coloured 
beak is rather too prominent on its jet black face, but the 
broad collar of delicate blue that partly encircles its neck is 
very pretty, as are its wings of mingled chestnut brown and 
grey. The tail, which is not very large, and terminates some- 
what bluntly, is black and white, the breast and belly pale 
purple, and the under tail-coverts white. 
The hawfinch’s nest — which has been found in Epping 
Eorest — is always built in a secluded spot, and is a shallow 
fabric, formed with sticks and lichens, and lined with fibres of 
roots. It lays from four to six eggs, which are greenish white, 
mottled with green and brown. It is not a particularly bril- 
liant songster, but what melody it is capable of is of a soft and 
pleasing quality. It is rather a tender bird, and very apt to 
catch cold if his cage be left out till late in the evening, or if a 
bleak wind should be blowing. Its treatment generally should 
be the same as that of the goldfinch. 
