The Chaffinch 



THE Chaffinch is almost as well known 

 as the house sparrow. The bluish 

 ash colour of the male's head and his reddish 

 brown breast, render him almost as striking 

 in appearance as the bullfinch. 



In the autumn the males and females of 

 this species separate, and many members of 

 both sexes leave the country altogether and 

 go south in search of a more genial climate. 

 Those that remain with us, however, always 

 seem to be very cheerful whilst they are 

 hopping about in farmyards and gardens in 

 search of seeds. 



The male Chaffinch is a great singer, and 

 if the weather be mild and open he begins 

 to try over his ringing little ditty quite 

 early in the spring. His song has been 

 likened to the words, " Will you, will you 

 kiss me, dear ? " and at the height of the 

 season is practised over thousands of times 

 every day. 



G 41 



