Bullfinches

A pair of bullfinches sitting on a branch is one of the many wonderful illustrations to be found in a multi-part series of natural history books for children by Thomas W. Hoare. Bullfinches are a species of birds that make their home in the “Old World”, including England.

It is said that bullfinches are easily tamed and were at one time kept as pets. When drawn in pen and ink, the males and females appear to be quite similar in appearance. In full-color, the male has a splendid orange-peach breast with slate blue on his back and wings. The female is not colored as dramatically, but her slightly peach-tinted beige feathers are quite pretty too.

Bullfinches are partial to berries which is probably why the illustrator placed this pair of birds on a branch with berries.