General colour above dark brown with slightly paler edgings to each feather. Wing feathers blackish with white outer margins, as in the Linnet. Tail somewhat forked, the feathers being black with whitish inner margins to the three outer pairs. Under parts buffish white streaked with brown. In the male the lores, cheeks, throat, and rump are suffused with rose red, but the female shows no red whatever. The bill in both sexes is deep horn-coloured in summer and yellowish in winter. The young resemble the female. Length 5 in.; wing 3 in.
THE BULLFINCH
Pyrrhula europæa, Vieillot
Better known probably as a cage-bird than as a wild inhabitant of our woods and gardens, the Bullfinch is nevertheless by no means rare. It inhabits woods, coppices, and thick hedgerows, and is rather a skulking species, but may be recognised when on the wing by its white rump. The call-note is a rather plaintive “whee-ou,” and it is easily attracted by imitating its call. Possibly it pairs for life, at least it is generally found in pairs, and even during the winter the male shows considerable affection for his mate, generally keeping close to her and frequently feeding her. The song is a feeble medley of soft flute-like notes, and is generally accompanied by a side to side motion of the tail and body. The nest is commenced in May and consists of a shallow platform of twigs placed three or four feet from the ground in a thick bush or hedge, and is lined with fine rootlets. The eggs, usually four or five in number, are greenish blue spotted and streaked round the larger end with black or pale purplish lilac. The young are fed by regurgitation, insects forming a large proportion of the parents’ food during the summer.
When fledged young and old wander about for a time together, but the old birds soon forage on their own account and leave the young to look after themselves. Berries, especially those of the privet, are largely consumed in autumn, but all kinds of seeds form their diet during the winter months, and in spring they turn their attention to young buds, more especially those of fruit-trees. For this they may well be forgiven as they make ample compensation by destroying caterpillars innumerable during the summer months.
The male has the whole of the head a glossy blue-black, mantle brownish grey. Larger wing coverts black tipped with whitish to form a conspicuous bar. Primaries brown; secondaries and tail glossy black; rump white. The whole of the under parts bright brick-red turning to white on the vent. The female is duller and the under parts are of a uniform brown. The young resemble the hen but lack the black crown. Length 6 in.; wing 3·25 in.
This species is generally distributed throughout the wooded districts of England, Wales, and Ireland, but is rather more local in Scotland.
THE SCARLET GROSBEAK
Pyrrhula erythina (Pallas)
The Scarlet Grosbeak breeds from Northern Russia across Siberia to Kamchatka, and in winter it is chiefly found in the Oriental region. As a straggler on migration, however, it has visited many places in Europe to the west of Russia, and one or two examples have been obtained in this country.
The adult male has the greater part of its plumage rose red, browner on the mantle and flanks. Quills and tail dark brown with paler buffish margins. The female is olive brown with darker striations, the under parts dull white, buffish on the throat and breast, and striped with brown on the flanks. Length 5·5 in.; wing 3·25 in.
