244 CONIROSTRES. 



food consists, during tlie winter months, of seeds of 

 various plants and trees, sucli as the alder, maple, 

 &c. ; they likewise feed upon grains, which they 

 seek for on the ground, especially in stubble lands ; 

 many, however, live on insects and their larvse 

 when procurable. Their song consists of three or 

 four notes, which, though short, frequently possess 

 great sweetness, and are agreeably varied. The 

 nest of some is formed upon trees and in bushes of 

 mountainous districts, while others prefer gardens, 

 orchards, and plantations ; it is composed of grass, 

 moss, and lichens, interwoven with wool, and lined 

 with feathers and hair. The eggs are four or five 

 in number. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



TheCh.Siffi.Tich.{Fringillacoelebs). The Chaffinch is gene- 

 rally spread through Europe from Sweden to Gibraltar, 

 and is even found on the coast of Africa. Some of these 

 birds migrate in great numbers in autumn ; but these 

 flocks are said to consist of females only, while the males 

 remain in their native comitry ; indeed, the specific 

 name {Ccelehs, or the bachelor), given by Linnaeus to this 

 bird, is in allusion to the lonely condition of the deserted 

 males. It is not impossible, however, that there may be 

 some mistake in tliis, for, from the moulting time to tlie 

 month of February, and more particularly in autumn, 

 the two sexes exhiljit colours nearly similar. At all 

 events, it is quite certain that many females remain, as 

 well as males, and assist in forming, together with the 

 Tree-finches, Greenfinches, Buntings, and other birds, 

 those mnumerable flocks which during winter are seen in 

 our fields, and which, when the earth is covered with 

 snow, come before our barns to share the daily food of 

 our domestic fowls. From the early days of spring they 

 begin to pair, and the mated cou])les isolate themselves. 

 Some resort to our gardens and orchards, others retire 

 into coppice-woods, which they animate by their gaiety, 

 and also by their song, which is by no means devoid of 

 melody ; indeed, the Chaffinch, when taken from the 

 nest, will imitate the notes of the Canary and of the 



