BRITISH BIRDS.

gin to expand their bloffoms; they difperſe through
the whole extent of our plains; fome inhabit our
gardens, others prefer the clumps and avenues;
fome conceal themſelves among the reeds, and ma-
ny retire to the midſt of the woods." But, not-
withſtanding their numbers, this genus is confefled-
ly the moſt obſcure and indetermined in the whole
of ornithology. We have taken much pains to
gain a competent knowledge of the various kinds
which viſit our iſland, and have procured ſpeci-
mens of moſt, if not all of them, but confes that
we have been much puzzled in reconciling their
provincial names with the ſynonima of the differ-
ent authors who have noticed them.

The following is defcribed by Latham as a va-
riety of the Pettichaps, and agrees in moſt reſpects
with our ſpecimen. We conceive it to be the
fame as the Pafferinette of Buffon, allowing ſome-
what for difference of food, climate, &c.

P 2

174

BRITISH BIRDS.

LESSER REDPOLE.

(Fringilla Linaria, Lin.—Le Sizerin, Buff.)

LENGTH about five inches: Bill pale brown, point duſky; eyes hazel; the forehead is marked with a pretty large ſpot, of a deep purpliſh red; the breaſt is of the fame colour, but leſs bright; the feathers on the back are duſky, edged with pale brown; the greater and leſſer coverts tipped with dirty white, forming two light bars acroſs the wing; the belly and thighs are of a dull white; the quills and tail duſky, edged with dirty white; the latter ſomewhat forked; legs duſky. In our bird the rump was ſomewhat reddiſh, in which it agrees with the Twite of Mr Pennant, and moſt probably conſtitutes one ſpecies with it and the Mountain Linnet, the differences being immaterial, and mere-

BRITISH BIRDS.

175

ly ſuch as might arife from age, food, or other ac-
cidental circumſtances. The female has no red on
the breaſt or rump, and the ſpot on her forehead is
of a ſaffron colour; her plumage in general is not
ſo bright as that of the male.

Birds of this kind are not unfrequent in this illand;
they breed chiefly in the northern parts, where
they are known by the name of French Linnets.
They make a fhallow open neſt, compofed of dried
grafs and wool, and lined with hair and feathers :
The female lays four eggs, almoſt white, marked
with reddiſh fpots. In the winter they mix with
other birds, and migrate in flocks to the southern
counties: They feed on ſmall feeds of various
kinds, eſpecially thoſe of the alder, of which they
are extremely fond; they hang, like the Titmouſe,
with their back downwards, upon the branches
while feeding, and in this ſituation may eafily be
caught with lime twigs. This ſpecies is found in
every part of Europe, from Italy to the moſt ex-
treme parts of the Ruffian empire. In America
and the northern parts of Afia it is likewife very
common.

122

BRITISH BIRDS.

with white; the legs pale yellow; the claws large, fharp, and much bent, the back claw very strong; when extended, the foot measures one inch and three quarters.

This, like the Woodpecker, frequents woods, and is a fly and solitary bird; the female lays her eggs in holes of trees, frequently in thofe which have been deferted by the Woodpecker. During the time of incubation she is affiduoufly attended by the male, who supplies her with food; she is easily driven from her neft, but on being disturbed hiftes like a fnake. The Nuthatch feeds on caterpillars, beetles, and various kinds of inſects; it likewife eats nuts, and is very expert in cracking them fo as to come at the contents; having placed a nut faft in a chink, it takes its ſtand a little above, and, ftriking it with all its force, breaks the ſhell and catches up the kernel. Like the Woodpecker, it moves up and down the trunks of trees with great facility in fearch of food. It does not migrate, but in the winter approaches nearer inhaſited places, and is fometimes ſeen in orchards and gardens. The young ones are eſteemed very good eating.

BRITISH BIRDS.

123

THE HOOPOE.

(Upupa Epops, Lin.—Le Hupe ou Puput, Buff.)

Its length is twelve inches; breadth nineteen: The bill is above two inches long, black, flender, and ſomewhat curved; the eyes hazel; the tongue very ſhort and triangular; the head is ornamented with a creft, confifting of a double row of feathers, of a pale orange colour, tipped with black, the high-eſt about two inches in length; the neck is of a pale reddifh brown; breaſt and belly white, which in young birds are marked with various dufky lines pointing downwards; the back, ſcapulars, and wings are croſſed with broad bars of black and white; the leſſer coverts of the wings light brown; the rump is white; the tail confiſts of ten feathers,