THE STRUGGLE WITH COLD 



3i3 



observations, there would be less written of the exceeding 

 scarcity of certain birds. In Hertfordshire, for example, the 

 brambling or mountain finch is usually common every winter. 

 Large flocks appear in the fields now and then, but there 

 are some specimens in the stackyards every year. Haw- 

 finches, too, are common. Indeed, every finch is common, 



the goldfinch and especially the bullfinch ; and it goes 

 without saying that greenfinches swarm. But none of them 



except the greenfinch have the sparrow's fondness for 

 human houses. 



The most pleasing of all birds to watch in winter time 

 is the jenny wren, though many people who enjoy their tits 

 and robins immensely seem to forget all about it. The 

 little things are even fonder of houses than sparrows or 

 robins. With the slightest encouragement they will come 

 into the warm rooms whenever the weather is severe, and 

 they rejoice especially in a greenhouse. They creep in and 

 about a honeysuckle on the wall, greenhouse plants, or the 



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