Loxia Enuclator, LINNÆUS; Le Durbec, BUFFON; Der
Fichtenkernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This is one of the largest species of grosbeak that we have, equalling
the Bohemian chatterer in size. Its length is eight inches and a half,
of which the tail measures three; the beak is short and thick, measuring
only six lines; its colour is brown, the iris dark brown; the feet are
from twelve to thirteen lines high, and blackish; the head, neck, breast
and rump are of a light vermilion, with bluish tints; the feathers on
the back and the lesser wing coverts are black, with reddish edges.
The female is generally of a greyish green, with some scattered reddish
and yellowish tints, principally on the top of the head. It is not yet
well known if this bird has the same changes of colour as the crossbill,
since more yellow ones have been found than red. Experience shows that
the same things take place in the house as out of doors. They acquire
the yellow red, not only after the first moulting, but even before it.
This change begins first round the beak, descends afterwards to the back
and breast, and at last gradually extends over the whole body, so that
what was red before becomes yellow; this yellow is darker than citron;
all the red and yellow feathers are ash-colour at the base. The young
are brownish, with a slight shade of yellow. During the first year the
colour of the males is light red; it is only after this that they become
darker vermilion or crimson; these birds are caught in autumn and
winter, either in the noose or net, with elder or service berries as a
lure.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is found in all the northern regions of
Europe, Asia, and America, and in Europe rarely passes the
fifty-third degree of latitude. It frequents the pine and fir
forests, the seeds of which form its food; in winter it quits these
places in search of berries; this is what ranks it among the erratic
birds. They are so stupid, that in the north they are easily caught
with a circle of brass wire fixed to the end of a long pole, to which
are fastened some horse-hair rings, which are simply passed over the
head of the bird. They are often caught and kept in cages, as they
are liked, both on account of the ease with which they are tamed, and
of their song, which is very agreeable; they will even sometimes sing
in the night, and always preserve their song through the whole year,
while the wild only sing in the spring.