170 AMONGST THE WOODLAND BIRDS— 
cages, it would scarcely be thought that any 
of them could sing under such circumstances. 
Some think that this song is due to an in- 
herent combative instinct, causing them to be 
constantly challenging other cocks possibly 
within hearing. These notes are not the 
only ones the bird utters, and are different 
to his ‘ pink, pink’ call note which is heard as 
he sits on a tree top and may be intended 
for his hen. Both sounds are pleasing, but can 
scarcely be dignified into songs if compared 
with those of other birds. The chaffinch is 
most noisy when his courting begins in Feb- 
ruary. The birds pair in March, and the nest 
is ready for the eggs by April. The chaffinch 
is about six inches long. He is handsome in 
the variety of colours he displays, thus the 
forehead is black, with a creamy head, whilst 
the back of the neck is blue, the back is 
chestnut with green at the lower end, the 
breast is reddish chestnut, and the lower 
part of the body in front white. The wings 
are black crossed by white bands. Besides 
these there are touches of green and yellow 
