THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 45 



the winter months. An excellent instance of the 

 protective instinct of the Chaffinch occurred on the 

 banks of the Eden, where we found a nest in a 

 thorn bush at the water side. It w^as situated just 

 above some wreckage, which had been deposited 

 by a flood ; and the nest, instead of being decorated 

 with lichen, as would have been the case had it 

 been built in an apple tree, was completely covered 

 by small pieces of rotten wood, rendering it a 

 difficult matter to distinguish the nest from the 

 wreckage immediately below. The eggs in this nest 

 were of the uniform pale blue tyjie, without any 

 spots. 



A yellow variety of the Chaffinch, an old male, 

 was shot near Carlisle in October, 1883. Another 

 yellow Chaffinch was obtained in the Alston district 

 by Mr. J. B. Hodgkinson. 



F. Montifringilla. Brambling. 



The Brambling is a numerous but local winter 

 visitant, large flocks arriving in October and 

 November, departing in March, though a few 

 linger until the end of April. The harsh chirrup 

 of the Brambling, during its stay with us, conveys 

 to an insular ear no more idea of the merry song 

 of the male, among the fresh birches of its northern 

 breeding ground, than the dull winter dress sug- 

 gests the brilliancy of the summer dress, w^hen the 

 drab fringes of the upper parts have dried up and 

 dropped off", and the feathers of the breast have 

 become intensified by vernal passion and a burning 

 sun. 



