FINCHES 189 



with every opinion here expressed^ especially that 

 wherein the Chaffinch is credited with two-thirds of 

 the music of May, he will, nevertheless, agree that 

 the description is, in the main, a true one. It is 

 certain that in English parks and pleasure grounds 

 this species is by far the most numerous of any of 

 the British finches. In the woodlands surrounding 

 Bolton Abbey, the once " stately Priory on the Field 

 of Wharfe," Chaffinches abound to an amazing 

 extent. At every turn they may be seen, sauntering 

 on the white drives and filling the air wdth their 

 sweet leisurely notes; barely moving aside to evade 

 the passing vehicle, or with a movement of white- 

 lined wings springing to mossy wall or overhanging 

 bough, with a sharp "pink-pink" of protest at 

 their brief disturbance. 



So tame are they that they gather about the rustic 

 tables where the visitors partake of their al fres-&o- 

 meals, and frequently alight upon the tables them- 

 selves. 



The nest of the Chaffinch is well known as one of 

 the models of avian craftsmanship. It is formed 

 mainly of wool, and built in simple cup-shape, but 

 on the outer surface green mosses and different 

 lichens are woven in with such skill and neatness, 

 that the finished form has the appearance of being 

 carved from some hard substance rather than of a 

 nest built up, little by little, from odd scraps of 

 loose and parti-coloured materials. 



The question of the migration of the Chaffinch is 

 a somewhat vexed one. ]\Iany years ago, Linnaeus 

 stated that in Sweden the hens left the country in 

 winter while the cocks did not : hence his applica- 



