CHAFFINCH. 461 



the second or third, which are equal, and the longest in the wing. Legs with 

 the tarsi of moderate length ; toes divided, and adapted for hopping and perch- 

 ing ; claws curved and sharp. 



The male Chaffinch is one of the most handsome of ovir 

 common small birds, and in his general deportment is as 

 lively as lie is handsome. Thus distinguished by bright co- 

 lours and active habits, and being besides very numerous as 

 a species, and confident in behaviour, allowing the near ap- 

 proach of observers without exhibiting much alarm, the Chaf- 

 finch is extremely well known ; and as his gay appearance 

 and song, frequently noticed as early as February, points 

 him out as one of the first of our indigenous birds to afford 

 an indication of returning spring, he is for these various rea- 

 sons a general favourite. With our Continental neighbours 

 the Chaffinch is one of their most common cage-birds ; and 

 in France, from the lively colours and demeanour of this 

 bird, the term "^«?/ as a Chajjinch^'' is a proverbial phrase 

 in frequent use. Linnseus, in his Fauna of Sweden, says 

 that the female Chaffinches migrate from that country in 

 winter, but that the males do not, and he bestowed upon 

 the species the name of ccelebs, or bachelor, in reference to 

 these deserted males. At the present time Professor Nils- 

 son, of Sweden, says, that although but few remain in that 

 country during winter, they are not males only ; but even the 

 temporary separation of the sexes among birds is not an 

 unusual occurrence, and Mr. Selby, in his history of the 

 Chaffinch, says, that in " Northumberland and Scotland this 

 separation takes place about the month of November, and 

 from that period till the return of spring, few females are to 

 be seen, and those few always in distinct societies. The 

 males remain, and are met with, during the winter, in im- 

 mense flocks, feeding with other granivorous birds in the 

 stubble lands, as long as the weather continues mild, and the 

 ground free from snow ; resorting, upon the approach of 



