56 ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



only counterpane he wotted of; that his breast is 

 dyed eternally with the blood of the Crucified, as 

 he tried to withdraw the cruel nails. ^ But it is for 

 his autumn song and for his coming, with bright 

 eye and cheery bearing, close to the nursery win- 

 dow, when the ledge is deep in driven snow, to ask 

 for his reward, that the children love him, and that 

 his name is uttered with a curious gentleness when- 

 ever the wayfarer in distant lands speaks of home 

 and of Christmas. 



^ A legend which also refers to the Crossbill. 



