172 AMONGST THE WOODLAND BIRDS— 
chaffinches migrate in winter, collecting into 
flocks for the purpose, but some, mostly cocks, 
remain throughout the year. The _ birds 
arrive also in flocks. The parents remain 
with the young whilst they are learning to 
take care of themselves (see Part I, p2ros); 
and afterwards rear another and perhaps a 
third brood. At the time of leaving this 
country the cocks separate from the hens, and 
thus the male has sot the name fees cu- 
‘Bachelor Finch.’ The food is imseets orem 
taken in the air, and seeds. Their sharp little 
beaks are used to good effect in self-pro- 
tection as well as in feeding, for the birds are 
very pugnacious, even showing this instinct 
by singing one against the other. The whole 
appearance of this active and noisy bird gives 
the idea of its being what the schoolboy calls 
‘cheeky,’ and it certainly looks gay. 
We strayed into a wood, invited by a path. 
The very first wild roses we had seen this 
season were just out. It was a very sheltered 
spot. Amongst many other flowers the 
germander speedwell —a little flower with a 
