Beak conical, thicker and shorter than in the species of the following group. They devour insects and seeds, a few species seeds exclusively. Here belong first the =Titmice= (_Parus_), gipsy migrants which are extremely serviceable both in fruit-tree culture and forestry. Then the =Larks= (especially the =Skylark=, _Alauda arvensis_, a resident), which nest on the ground, eating insects, seeds, and in winter even leaves; they feed their young, however, with insects. They do both good and harm, but the former mostly preponderates. In late summer and autumn, skylarks collect in flocks, and wander here and there for a long time: before this, they travel south; at this time many are caught and eaten. The male skylark sings beautifully, rising meanwhile high in the air. The =Buntings= (_Emberiza_) have a characteristic compressed and pointed beak; they seek their food on the ground in fields and meadows, and on roads. The food consists of grain and insects; but since these birds never take grains from the ear, they only do damage by picking them up at seed-time. They feed their young with insects. The damage is usually very inconsiderable, but, on the other hand, the benefit conferred is slight. (=Yellow Hammer=, _E. citrinella_, a yellow-coloured resident. The =Common Bunting=, _E. miliaria_, a grey-coloured migrant, etc.) In the family of =Finches= a number of species are included which are of small agricultural importance: _e.g._ the =Bullfinch= (_Pyrrhula vulgaris_), specially attacks fruit-tree buds in March; the =Goldfinch= (_Carduelis elegans_); the =Siskin= (_Chrysomitris spinus_); the =Lesser Redpoll= (_Linota linaria_); the =Greenfinch= (_Ligurinus chloris_). A few species, however, must be dealt with more fully, and, first,— [Illustration: FIG. 37.—Head of Bullfinch. ] The two =Sparrows=, _i.e._ the =House Sparrow= (_Passer domestica_) and the =Tree Sparrow= (_P. montana_).