The WINTER FINCH (_Nyphæa hyemalis_) has been described as a species
of Bunting, with the beak of a finch and very indistinct markings on
its plumage. Its body is powerful, its neck short, the head large, the
beak short and very pointed, the legs slender, and the feet of moderate
length. The wings are short, but concave and rounded, the third and
fourth quills being the longest; the second nearly the same length, and
the first shortest of all. The tail is long and forked, the plumage very
soft and lax. In the male bird the head, neck, back, wings, tail, and
front of the breast are blackish grey, which is darkest upon the head;
the wings are bordered with white, the two outermost tail feathers, the
lower part of the breast and belly being also white. The beak is reddish
white, and dark at the tip; the eyes are blackish brown. The female is
paler than her mate, and marked upon the back with brown. The length of
the male bird is five inches and three-quarters, its breadth nearly seven
inches; the female is five and a half inches in length, and eight and a
quarter across.
[Illustration: THE MOUNTAIN FINCH (_Fringilla montifringilla_).]
This species, which belongs to North America, may be considered the
best-known member of its family. "I have travelled," says Wilson, "over
the country from North Maine to Georgia, a distance of 1,800 miles, but I
do not think there was a day, or indeed an hour, in which I did not see a
flock of these birds, often numbering thousands; and several travellers
with whom I conversed gave me similar accounts of their experience." On
the other hand, we are told by many American naturalists that the Winter
Finch, as its name would show, is only to be met with in these numbers
during the winter, and is not seen in the United States during the summer
months. It is an inhabitant of the northern mountains of America, where
it builds its nest, and from thence it wanders south when winter closes
in. This species will occasionally migrate as far as Europe; and Temminck
assures us that several have been captured in Iceland; indeed, it is upon
this authority that we reckon them amongst European birds. Winter Finches
are seen in the United States about October, departing about the end of
April, and migrating by night; hosts of them are often found early in the
morning in localities where not one was to be seen the evening before.
On first arriving they fly about the outskirts of the woods and hedges
in parties of from twenty to thirty, but at a later period assemble
in flocks of some thousands. As long as the ground is uncovered, they
feed upon grass-seed, berries, and insects, and are often to be found in
company with partridges, wild turkeys, and even squirrels; but as soon
as the snow begins to fall, Winter Finches make their appearance in the
farmyards, open roads, and streets of the town, and place themselves
under the protection of man, who shows how much he is to be trusted by
capturing hundreds of these diminutive creatures. Still this bird has
more friends than enemies, and many Americans regard it with the same
affection that we feel for our robin redbreast, and will feed it in a
similar manner. Its confidence in man is so great, that it will allow a
horseman or foot passenger to approach quite close to it in the street,
only flying away if it has reason to think it will be molested. Thus it
lives until the winter is passed, when it quits the towns and villages
for its favourite mountain or native haunts. The Winter Finch but seldom
joins company with any other birds, though in the villages and farmyards
it will associate with the so-called "Song Sparrow" and domestic fowls,
keeping, however, somewhat apart. It passes the night either perched
upon a tree, or in a hole, and often makes a place for itself in stacks
of corn. In its movements the Winter Finch much resembles our sparrows,
and hops very lightly over the ground, testifying great readiness to
engage any of its kind in single combat. As soon as these birds return to
their native places the work of incubation commences, and the males are
constantly engaged in furious contentions, chasing each other through the
trees with wings and tail outspread, and thus exhibiting their plumage in
all its varied beauty. At such times their simple but pleasing song is at
the best, its principal feature being a few long, drawn-out notes, that
are not unlike the twitter of a young canary.
[Illustration: THE BROWN LINNET (_Cannabina linota_).]
When about to build, the little pair seek a quiet spot in which to make
their nest, preferring a rock thickly covered with bushes; and there upon
the ground they construct their home, forming it of twigs and grass,
and lining the interior most delicately with fine moss and horsehair.
The four eggs of which a brood consists, are of a yellowish colour,
thickly covered with reddish spots, and measure five-eighths of an inch
across the broadest end. Both parents tend their young with great care,
feeding them for some time after they leave the nest, and warning them
of danger by a peculiar cry. The Sparrow Falcon (_Rhyncodon sparverius_)
must be regarded as the most formidable of the many enemies of the Winter
Finches. Wilson mentions having seen this bird continually hovering in
their neighbourhood, watching for a favourable opportunity, and, when the
proper moment arrived, the destroyer would swoop down upon its victim,
seize it, and carry it to the nearest tree to be devoured. The weasel,
and many of the smaller kinds of beasts of prey, are also numbered among
their foes.
* * * * *
The LINNETS (_Cannabinæ_) have lately been formed into a distinct tribe,
on account of their conical-shaped bill, which is more rounded, shorter,
and sharper at its extremity than in the true Finches. The wings are
elongated, slender, and pointed, and the tail forked at the end. The
representatives of this family are met with only in the northern parts of
the Old World.