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THIS genus is not numerous in Britain, and most of those which we call ours, are only visitors, making a short stay, and leaving us again to breed and rear their young in other countries. They are in general shy and solitary, living chiefly in woods, at a distance from the habitations of men. Their vocal powers are not great; and as they do not add much to the general harmony of the woods which they inhabit, they are consequently not much known or sought after. Their most conspicuous character is the thickness and strength of their bills, by which they are enabled to break the stones of various kinds of fruits, and other hard substances on which they feed. Their general appearance is very similar to birds of the Finch kind, of which they may be reckoned the principal branch. Indeed M. Temminck has included the Grosbeak family among the Finches.
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