. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. THE GONE-BILLED PERCHERS. 241 parent and children set up such an outcry, that it may be heard a long way off. The Grosbeak is not a very rare bird, although it is but seldom seen. This fact is accounted for by its great shyness and dread of mankind ; so that, although it remains in this country throughout the year, it seldom ventures out of the thick woods in which it delights to dwell. The nest of this bird is very sh
. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. THE GONE-BILLED PERCHERS. 241 parent and children set up such an outcry, that it may be heard a long way off. The Grosbeak is not a very rare bird, although it is but seldom seen. This fact is accounted for by its great shyness and dread of mankind ; so that, although it remains in this country throughout the year, it seldom ventures out of the thick woods in which it delights to dwell. The nest of this bird is very shallow, and slightly put together,, being hardly superior to that of the wood-pigeon. The eggs are from four ^^ Grosbeak, to six in number, of a greenish white, covered with dark marks and spots. The length of the Grosoeas is seven inches. The Goldfinch, or Thistlefinch, so called on account of its fondness for the down of the thistle, is one of our most beau- tiful birds. Where thistles abound, small flocks of goldfinches may be seen flying from hedge to hedge, and occasionally pecking the white tops of the thistles. The tufted seed, of the dandelion gr')undsel, and other plants, is also eaten by the Goldfinch. In captivity it is very tame, and can be trained to perform a multitude of tricks, the most common of which are, drawing its own food and water with a chain and bucket, or firing a gun when com- manded. The nest is very beautiful, being mostly made of wool and down from various plants, and is usually placed on the ex- tremity of a spray. The eggs are small, of a whitish tint, spotted with orange brown. The Common Linnet frequents commons and neglected pastures. Its song is very sweet, and many bird-fanciers suppose that the mixed breed of a canary and a linnet has a sweeter song than either bird. Its nest is usually built in the centre of a large and dense bush. The eggs are five in number, greyish white, speckled with red. The Greenfinch, or Green Linnet, is larger than
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1883
