WINTER FINCH.

Fringilla ? hyemalis.

Le Bruant Jacobin.

Tue natural habits of this little Finch lead it to extend its summer migrations further north perhaps than most
other members of the Passerine Order, and it is consequently an inhabitant of the regions far within the
arctic circle, is common in Greenland, and has within the last few years been added to the Fauna of Europe.
In the third part of his ‘Manuel’ M. Temminck states that it occasionally visits Iceland, and may perhaps be
considered a bird of periodical passage in this portion of Europe.

Like the Robin the Winter Finch evinces little fear of man, and readily admits his near approach even in
fine weather, and in hard weather is “so gentle and tame,” says M. Audubon, “ that it becomes, as it were,
a companion to every child,” and is indeed as well known and as much cherished by every person in
America as the Robin is in Kurope. It usually lives in families of twenty or thirty, is very jealous of intru-
sion, and readily darts forth to repel the invader. It is particularly fond of grass-seeds, and grain and berries
of all kinds. M. Audubon also states that in its habits and manners it much resembles the Sparrow, resorting
for shelter during cold weather to stacks of corn and hay, but in fine weather evincing a preference for the
evergreen foliage of the holly, cedar, low pines, &c.

Of its nest and eggs nothing is known.

According to M. Audubon its flesh is extremely delicate and juicy, on which account it is frequently exhi-
bited for sale.

The male has the head, all the upper surface, eight middle tail-feathers, wing-coverts, primaries, and chest
blackish grey ; secondaries blackish brown margined with reddish brown ; two outer tail-feathers on each
side white; under surface white, with a tinge of rufous on the flanks and under tail-coverts; bill reddish
white with a black tip; irides blackish brown ; feet and claws flesh colour.

The female differs in being of a lighter grey tinged with brown.

We have figured a male and female of the natural size.