102 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. a 
the middle of May a chaffinch’s nest. It was such an 
exquisitely wrought specimen that I was tempted to 
remove it for my cabinet, and was astonished at the 
tenacity with which it adhered to the post. 
The body of the nest was formed of wool, and lined 
with reddish cow’s hair and two or three feathers; on 
the outside the wool was incorporated with green moss, 
and studded all over with green and white lichens ~ 
similar to those on the rails of the fence; these lichens 
were more numerous towards the base, forming a sort of 
lip, and adhering to the surface of the post, on which 
there were no lichens growing naturally. Finding it 
cling so closely I used great caution in its removal, and 
am quite convinced that its adhesion was effected by 
means of some glutinous substance, most probably, as I 
have said, the saliva of the bird itself. 
The male chaffinch in his brightest breeding plumage 
is an elegant little bird ; some in this respect far out- 
shine their fellows, but these perhaps are of more mature 
age. The clear bluish grey of the head and nape, the 
pink breast, and chestnut brown back, harmonize well 
with, and are set off to advantage by, the black and white 
of the wings. The males have a very distinct crest, which 
is raised and depressed at will. 
They are resident through the whole year, but I have 
not noticed that marked separation of the sexes, as 
on the Continent and in the northern parts of our own 
island, to which it owes its specific name. 
The local name given it is “spink,” which is derived 
from its own well-known note. 
Though the chaffinch is chiefly a vegetable feeder, yet 
at some times of the year insects enter largely into its: 
daily food, I have on several occasions seen it cap- 
