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(Fringilla montana, Linn.—Le Friquet, Buff.)
THIS bird is somewhat less than the common Sparrow. Bill black; eyes hazel; the crown of the head and hinder part of the neck chesnut brown; sides of the head white; throat black; behind each eye is a large black spot; the upper parts of the body are rusty brown, spotted with black; the breast and under parts dirty white; quills black, with reddish edges, as are also the greater coverts; the lesser bay, edged with black, and crossed with two white bars; the tail is reddish brown, and even at the end; legs pale yellow.
This species is much more plentiful on the continent than in England, where it is seldom seen further north than Yorkshire: it differs from the House Sparrow in making its nest in the holes of trees far from towns or villages. It feeds on fruits, seeds, and insects. It is a lively, active bird, and, when it alights, has a variety of motions, whirling about and jerking its tail upwards and downwards, like the Wagtail.
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