This fine and handsome species, whose appearance is only marred by the excessive size of its beak, is by no means so rare as it is usually considered. It is found locally in most wooded districts of England, but becomes scarcer in the north and is decidedly rare in Wales. To Scotland and Ireland it is, however, only a rare and occasional wanderer. Extremely shy, avoiding the haunts of man, and keeping to the tops of high trees, its presence is very difficult to detect, and the call-note, which is a weak and high-pitched “sit,” would not attract attention unless specially listened for.

The nest, which is built fairly high up near the top of a tall hedge or in a tree, a tall hawthorn being an especial favourite, is composed of fine twigs lined with rootlets, and much resembles that of a Bullfinch, except that the cup is considerably deeper. The eggs are extremely handsome, being of a bluish green, boldly blotched and streaked with black or olive grey. This bird has one weakness which leads to his destruction, namely, a great fondness for green peas, in search of which, forgetting his usual caution, he will leave his haunts to forage in the nearest garden, where as often as not he pays for his rashness with his life.

His food consists almost entirely of seeds and berries, insects forming a very small portion of his diet. In winter he collects in small family parties and wanders about from wood to wood but seldom strays very far from home.

The male has the back brown, becoming lighter on the rump; the upper wing coverts blackish; median coverts whitish. Wing feathers black with white patches on the inner webs and steel-blue tips, the inner primaries being curiously expanded at their tips. Tail feathers with black bases and white tips. The head is yellowish brown, paler on the forehead; nape grey; lores, chin, and a narrow stripe at the base of the bill black. Under parts brown. Bill deep lead colour in summer, horn coloured with black tips in winter. The female is much duller. The young have the head yellowish; mantle mottled brown; under parts white spotted and barred with dull brown. Length 7 in; wing 4 in.