146 



with pale brown ; beak, blackish ; legs and feet, dark 

 brown. Total length 3|-in., tail ijin. 



Adult female : Olive-brown above ; wing and tail 

 feathers brown, edged with olive ; below paler olive- 

 brown, with centre of body )ellowish-white, merging 

 into ochreous on the under tail coverts. 



Habitat : Brazil. 



Wicsts ot (Lbaffincb aiiD Sono=^bru6h, 



By F. Howe. 



THE NEST OF THE CHAFFINCH. 

 ( Ff ingilla ccelebs) . 



Of the nests of our British birds I think that of 

 the Chaffinch the neatest and most beautiful. One of 

 these lovely nests, which may often be found cleverly 

 built among the twigs of an apple tree in bloom, is 

 one of the most pleasing sights nature affords. One 

 writer describes the nest of the Chaffinch as "a para- 

 gon of perfection." 



An apple tree appears to be the usual site for the 

 nest, though many are to be found in pear trees. The 

 photos illustrating this article show the site usually 

 chosen, but many are found cleverly constructed 

 among the small outside twigs, where the nest is 

 partially hidden by the leaves. 



A nest is before me as I write, and is composed of 

 moss, dry roots, small feathers, wool (sheep's), hay, 

 pieces of string, horse-hair, coltsfoot down, lichen, 

 and a few small pieces of paper. " Chaffie " is fond of 

 decorating the outside of the nest with lichen, and 

 such are often found conspicuously decked out with 

 small pieces of paper, which are woven on to the nest 



