NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



Wild Birds' Protection Acts than perhaps 

 any other breeding in our country. 

 It is as much hated by some people on 

 account of the harm it does to the buds 

 of fruit trees, as it is loved by others as 

 a cage pet. It has increased greatly in 

 numbers nearly all over the country 

 during the past ten years, as may be 

 judged when it is mentioned that over 

 forty were shot in one Essex garden last 

 spring. Let us hope that the damage 

 done to buds and branches by small shot 

 expended during the slaughter may not 

 be put down to the credit of the unfor- 

 tunate feathered victims. 



In a secluded Surrey wood, where I 

 spend a good deal of time every July 

 and August studying and photograph- 

 ing birds from the interior of a small 

 green tent pitched near to a place where 

 birds come all day long to drink and 

 bathe, I notice that the Bullfinch is my 

 most frequent visitor. Sometimes an old 

 male will come along in silence, take a 

 few hurried sips, and then abruptly de- 

 part, indicating that he has a sitting 

 mate, and at others whole families arrive 

 to quench their thirst, which appears to 

 be abnormal in this species, and to enjoy 

 a good bath. 



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