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suggestion of the note by which I recognize the Marsh Tit in 
this district, and which is either a cry like “‘ cheeuu-ha-ha-ha,” 
(Example 1, Post,) or a full, rapid upwardly swerved whistle, 
(Ex. 2) oceupying about the interval of a major fifth. Thus 
far the call-note of the Marsh Tit. What do writers say 
of the Chaffinch ? 
The Rev. J. G. Wood, in his “‘ Illustrated Natural History,” 
Vol. II. p. 465, observes: “the call-note is very musical and 
ringing, somewhat resembling the word ‘pinck,’ which has 
therefore been applied to the bird as its provincial name.” 
Yarrell, (Ist Edition, 1, 462) mentions that “the common 
name of ‘Pink’ by which this bird is known provincially, has 
reference to the sound of its call-note.” 
F My observations on this bird invariably tend to show that 
_ the ery “pink, pink,” is not the call-note. There are, appar- 
- ently, three call-notes. The most important of these is a quiet 
ery, closely resembling the common ery “ chirri,” of the male 
_ house-sparrow. This cry is used as a call between the sexes 
at pairing-time. It is the call for food,-&c., by the fledged 
_ young to their parents. Another call-note of the chaffinches 
is, in spring, often used during flight, the great occasion on 
_ which calls are employed by birds ; and it is not addressed only 
_ tothe mate. It may be pronounced “twit,” or whistled in a 
_ rapid, upward swerve in the interval of a major sixth. (Ex. 3, 
b post). 
4 The other cry is used generally in autumn, and descends 
briefly in the interval of a 2nd (Ex. 4). 
The cry “pink” is sometimes, at any rate, a battle-cry ; 
twice I have heard it used in winter by chaffinches when 
fighting ; it is a note of alarm employed when chaftinches are 
disturbed, and in the winter it is employed more particularly 
during the first few bright hours. Mr Herbert Playne 
informs me that it is employed as a menace to the owl, and as 
an expression of alarm by chaffinches disturbed on the 
nest. 
The author of “Domestic Habits of Birds,” (p. 248) 
records that some chaffinches cried “pink, pink” at a 
