60 The Greenfinch. 

The Greenfinch is a handsome bird, but its song is 
not nearly so sweet as either the chaffinch or goldfinch, 
being rather harsh and not so musical. Any one wish- 
ing to see the bird, has only to walk out on a sunny 
day in summer near some evergreens, and listen for a 
note pronounced as “ twe-e-e,” or another favourite 
sound like “ pee-wit,’ coming from the lower branches 
of trees, or standing in or near a shrubbery, or close to 
some thick blackberry-bush running over the top of 
the hedge. 
This bird is known by several names, as ‘“ Green 
Finch,” “Green Linnet,” and “ Green Grosieate eeees 
bill is not nearly so strong as the hawfinch’s, but quite 
as useful in crushing grain as the others for splitting 
cherry-stones. The Greenfinch, in feeding, takes a grain 
of barley, or any other grain suited to its taste, husking 
and milling it before allowing it to pass into its crop. 
In winter these birds may be seen in large flocks, feed- 
ing on various kinds of seeds found in short stubbles, 
These numbers may also be frequently found where a 
rick of corn may have been recently removed, picking 
up some of the lost grain; if they are disturbed and 
a tree is near, they will most likely settle upon it. 
The structure of this bird’s nest is good, and is very 
