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upon the ground, and lays from six to twelve eggs, 
about two and a quarter inches long, of a light 
yellowish brown, with spots of a darker colour. 
As soon as the nesting commences the males for- 
sake the females, and leave them to attend alone to 
the hatching and rearing of their young. 
CHAFFINCH. 
FRINGILLA C@&LEBS, Lin. 
This well-known lively bird, the handsomest of 
the common small birds, is familiarly known in 
England, where it is seen throughout the year. 
During winter, as long as the weather continues 
mild, the males congregate in immense flocks m 
the stubble lands, but on the approach of snow 
and inclement weather they resort to farm-yards 
and other sheltered places. The females, deserting 
their mates, migrate southward, and until the return 
of spring few of them are to be seen. Linnzeus, in 
his Fauna of Sweden, mentions this fact, stating 
that the females migrate from that country during 
winter; from which circumstance he bestowed on 
the species the name of Ceelebs (or Bachelor). In 
this country its short and frequently repeated note, 
heard as early as February, points it out as one 
of the first of our indigenous birds to afford an 
indication of returning’ spring. 
It is found in almost every part of Europe, in 
the northern parts of Africa, and even as far as 
