178 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



are an animated scene in those districts favoured with 

 the BrambHng's presence. The birds are fond of the 

 beech mast, and we see them in all directions searching 

 for the coveted nuts, all the time keeping up a Babel of 

 cries. The husks are falling in all directions, as in the 

 branches overhead the nuts are ejected ; some of the 

 birds are feeding on the nuts strewing the ground ; while 

 many are sitting on the underwood, their wants supplied, 

 and twittering merrily. They are also fond of the various 

 seeds found in woods, plantations, and shrubberies. 

 Manure heaps, too, are visited for various kinds of animal 

 substances, as worms and grubs, as are also the newly 

 manured fields for the same purpose, for Bramblings 

 seem to have a special liking for animal food. Every 

 evening the Brambling may be seen in company with 

 the Redwing, seeking safety and repose amongst the ever- 

 greens. Chaffinches are in their company, too : indeed, 

 the Chaffinch very closely resembles the Brambling in 

 its habits in winter time, and wherever we see the Bramb- 

 ling we may rest assured Chaffinches are not far away. 



The Brambling stays but a short four months with 

 us, and as soon as the first signs of approaching spring 

 appear they leave us to retire northwards for the pur- 

 pose of rearing their young In the vernal season I am 

 always on the look out for any Bramblings that, tempted 

 by the seclusion of their haunt and abundance of food, 

 may have tarried here instead of journeying northwards 

 with their congeners, but hitherto my search has been 

 fruitless ; and I draw the conclusion that some grand end 

 is gained by these birds retiring northwards, and which 

 it is imperative they should follow. 



Of the BrambHng's habits in the nesting season I 

 know nothing ; but the ^g'g, judging from one in my own 

 possession, is slightly larger than a Chaffinch's ^g%, and 

 more boldly marked. 



