GREENFINCH.
LLINOS WERDD. Y GEGID, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
GREEN GROSBEAK. GREEN LINNET.
Coccotkraustes chloris,
Loxia chloris,
Linaria chloris,
Fringilla chloris,
FLEMING. JARDINE.
LUTNAUS. LATHAM.
MACGILLIVRAY.
TF.MMINCK.
Coccolhraus/cs. Coccos—A berry. Thrauo—To break. Chloris. Chloros—
Light green; properly, the colour of young grass.
THE geographical range of the Greenfinch is extensive throughout
Europe and Asia. It is found from Sweden and Norway to Belgium,
Crete, and the countries bordering on the Mediterranean; in Asia Minor
and other parts.
It is a plentiful species throughout the year in all the cultivated
parts of England. The same remark applies to Scotland, excepting the
northern and western islands. In Ireland it is common, and resident
in suitable localities. Also in Guernsey and Sark. It is a winter visitant
in Shetland and Orkney, frequently appearing during that season with
flights of Linnets, Larks, Snow Buntings, and other birds.
They frequent open fields, shrubberies, plantations, orchards and
gardens.
About the middle of March, or earlier, they begin to move, and
disperse over the length and breadth of the land: by the middle of
April they disappear from their winter haunts.
Towards the end of autumn Greenfinches collect into flocks, frequently
of considerable amount, attendant chiefly on the farm-stead or its neighbourhood.
They by no means isolate themselves from the company of
other birds, especially those of their own 'order*—Chaffinches, Yellow