The MOUNTAIN FINCH (_Fringilla montifringilla_) is a species known by
a great variety of names. Its length is about six and a half to seven
inches, its breadth ten and a half to eleven inches. The plumage of the
male bird during the breeding season is of a brilliant deep black, and
on the fore part of the neck and shoulders of an orange colour; the
under parts of the body and breast are white, the sides black; in the
female bird the latter are marked with long pale black streaks, while
over the wings run two white lines; the under wing-covers are brimstone
yellow. The female is brownish-black upon the head, neck, and back; the
under parts of the body are of a sober, dull shade. After the moulting
season the beautiful bright hues of these birds are hidden by the light
yellowish-brown edges of the feathers. Countries beyond 65° north
latitude may be considered as the homes of the Mountain Finch, it being
by no means rare in Lapland, and very numerous in Finland; how far east
it may be found we are at present ignorant. From these northern regions
it emerges during the winter, covering the whole of Europe as far as
Greece and Spain, and Asia even to the Himalaya Mountains, forming large
flocks during the month of August, and then coming gradually farther
and farther south. It reaches Germany in September, and Spain somewhat
later, the latter country, indeed, being never visited so regularly as
Germany. Mountains and large close forests are the favourite resorts
of these birds, and decide their course, always supposing that their
intended route is not disturbed by meeting with flocks of other kinds of
finches, to whom they are very ready to unite themselves--indeed, the
Mountain Finch is generally seen in company with Chaffinches, Linnets,
Yellowhammers, Field Sparrows, and Goldfinches, a group of trees being
usually chosen as the gathering-place of this very varied company,
and the nearest wood affording them their sleeping quarters. Should a
heavy fall of snow occur, they are compelled to remove to another place
in search of food; their migrations are, therefore, dependent upon
the suitability of the spot, and in nowise regular or premeditated.
The Mountain Finch very much resembles the Chaffinch, and like it, is
quarrelsome and violent, in spite of its apparently social disposition,
equalling the bird we have just mentioned in its activity, but far
inferior in the quality of its song, which, indeed, we can only describe
as a plaintive little chirp.
The Mountain Finch is usually, but unjustly, considered to be stupid,
because, like most other northern birds, it exhibits boldness and
confidence when it first reaches us; it however soon loses these
qualities and becomes cunning and shy. Though much to be admired on
account of the beauty of its plumage, its many disagreeable qualities,
and quavering, weak voice, prevent it from being regarded as suitable for
domestication. The food of this species consists principally of seeds
from various plants and trees; in summer they devour great quantities of
flies and insects, and can live for many years upon rapeseed, and other
simple diet. The nest and eggs bear a most deceptive resemblance to
those of the Chaffinch. The Mountain Finch is sought for on account of
its well-flavoured though somewhat bitter flesh, and is caught in great
numbers.