The GREEN GROSBEAK (_Chloris hortensis_), or GREENFINCH, as it is
generally called, must be regarded as forming, as it were, a bond of
connection between the present family and the Goldfinches. This bird
has a strong conical beak, somewhat compressed at its edges, with a
small ball-like elevation in the interior of the upper mandible. The
feet are longer than those of the true Hawfinch, and the body elongated,
but powerful. The plumage is principally of a green colour, that of the
male being olive-green on the upper part of the body, the lower portion
greenish yellow, the wings ash-grey, the tail black, the anterior
quill-feathers of the wings and the five exterior tail-quills beautifully
marked with yellow. The beak is of a yellowish flesh colour, and the eye
brown. The plumage of the male is duller during the winter, owing to the
grey with which the feathers are then bordered. The coat of the females
never loses this sombre tint: the young are distinguishable by the dark
streaks upon their bodies both above and below.
The Greenfinch inhabits the whole of Europe, and a large portion of
Asia, with the exception of the most northerly countries: it is also
numerous in Spain, but quite unknown in Siberia. Everywhere it is found
about pasture-land, and such localities as are at no great distance from
human habitations; it avoids all thickly-wooded places, and usually
lives in pairs or small parties, the latter increasing into large flocks
only during their passage from one country to another, at which times
they associate freely with many other small birds of kindred habits.
The Greenfinch generally selects some small coppice or garden for its
residence, and passes the entire day in flitting from place to place,
or upon the ground, whither it resorts in search of food. At night it
seeks a shelter in the branches of some thickly-foliaged tree. Although
clumsy in appearance it is a lively, active bird, light and easy in all
its movements. Whilst perched the plumage is generally allowed to hang
heavily round the body; but at times the bird stands erect, and lays its
feathers so close and flat as to present an entirely different exterior.
It hops with facility when upon the ground, and its course through the
air is light and undulating, owing to the manner in which it opens and
closes its wings; it always hovers before alighting. When flying, these
birds repeatedly utter their call, which, though a soft note, can be
heard at a considerable distance; when employed as a cry of warning, it
is accompanied by a gentle distinct whistle; on the approach of man they
rise at once into the air, and thus render the task of shooting them both
wearisome and difficult. Seeds of all kinds afford them nourishment,
although they prefer those of an oily nature, such as rapeseed or
linseed, only seeking food upon the trees when the ground is covered with
snow. Fields of hemp offer an irresistible attraction to these little
creatures--indeed, they seldom leave them until the crop is entirely
destroyed; they are also at times very troublesome in fruit gardens, in
spite of the services they render in clearing the trees of insects.
[Illustration: THE GREEN GROSBEAK (_Chloris hortensis_).]
The Greenfinch breeds twice or even thrice during the year. Just before
the time for pairing, the movements of the male are very animated; it
sings constantly, as it soars rapidly into the air, raising its wings
so high at each stroke that the tips almost touch each other. It thus
sweeps backwards and forwards, turns round in circles, and then, slowly
fluttering, descends to the spot from which it rose. Should another male
venture to approach the little couple, he is immediately driven off by
his happier rival, whilst the female remains quietly perched, watching
the proceedings of her mate with great delight. The nest is built of such
materials as are easily obtained, and usually placed on a forked branch,
or close against the stem of a tree. This beautiful structure consists of
an outer wall formed of straws, and fibres or fine roots, upon which is
spread a layer of green moss or some similar material; the interior is
lined with a warm blanket of wool, and the mossy exterior is always woven
together with hair. The nest is of a round shape, its walls including
rather more than the half of a sphere, being from two and a half to two
and three-quarter inches wide at the top, and about two inches deep. The
construction of this snug domicile devolves entirely upon the female,
her mate merely endeavouring to lighten her labours by his company. The
first eggs are laid about the end of April, the second in June, and the
third at the beginning of August; they are from four to six in number,
and from nine to sixteen lines in length; the shape is but slightly
oval, the shell thin, smooth, and of a blueish-white or silvery colour,
marked more or less distinctly with light red spots, which form a kind of
irregular wreath at the broadest end. The female sits upon her brood for
about a fortnight, and is fed and tended during that time by her mate.
Both parents, however, combine in the care of their progeny, feeding them
at first with seeds softened in their crops, and afterwards with the
same food in its natural state. These duties are but of short duration,
the young soon quit the nest to go forth alone into the world, or fly
in company with other Finches; nevertheless, they rejoin their parents
as soon as the latter have fulfilled their work of incubation. The
Greenfinch is much sought after on account of the delicacy of its flesh,
but we cannot recommend it as suitable for domestication, as its song is
very insignificant, and its disposition so quarrelsome that it will not
live in peace with others of its race; on the other hand, we must mention
that few species adapt themselves so readily to life in a cage.