Fringilla petronia, LINNÆUS; La Soulci, BUFFON; Der Graufink,
BECHSTEIN.
Independently of the beak, this bird may be taken for a female
yellowhammer, as it resembles it so much in its shape and plumage. Its
length is five inches three-quarters, of which the tail measures two.
The beak, five lines long, is thick at the base, grey brown above, and
white below. The feet, ten lines high, are grey brown; the whole head is
of a reddish ash-colour, but a dirty white ring surrounds it from one
eye to the other.
The female is greyer on the upper part of the body, and the front of the
neck is only pale yellow.
OBSERVATIONS.--Ring sparrows are found in most European forests, or
woods; they are common enough in several parts of Germany[51], those
that inhabit the northern parts removing in winter; but the others
are stationary.
They live on seeds and insects like the house sparrow, and make their
nests in hollows of trees. In the house they are fed on rape and
poppy-seeds; they also readily eat the first universal paste. They
are less prized for their warbling, which is insignificant, than for
their beauty or rarity.