180 THE BIRDS OF KENT 



Genus FRINGILLA, Linnaeus. 

 CHAFFINCH. 



Fringilla ccelehs, Linnaeus. S.N., [., p. 318 

 (176G). 



Chaffinch, Boys, 1792. 



The abundance of the Chaffinch in Kent is well know 

 to all lovers of birds, and the observations on the move- 

 ments of this species during the autumn and winter of 

 1905-6 may help towards the supposed parting of the 

 males and females during that season. From October 10, 

 the Chaffinches were found all over the districts visited, 

 especially in Romney Marsh, and the slopes overlooking 

 that area. The males and females were equal in numbers 

 and generally in pairs. It was not until November 17 

 that large flocks of both sexes were seen in the Marsh, 

 which appeared to be all going south, and after their 

 departure the pairs still remained throughout the winter. 

 There is no doubt that the flocks were driven down from 

 the north by stress of weather and went south, leaving 

 those that were bred, and the old residents in these 

 districts, still at their stations. During December, 

 January and February, no diminution in either sex could 

 be noticed, and the males began singing on March 6, 

 and no apparent increase in the numbers could be 

 observed. 



In the Zoologist, 1867, Mr. A. Clark-Kennedy states : 

 " In the month of May, 1862, while staying at 

 Frittenden, in Kent, I found a Chaffinch's nest in a 

 laurel, with four eggs, two of which were of the usual 

 colour, one with very few spots on it, and a fourth had 



