47 



ANIMAL LIFE-HISTORIES 



This is also true of the Tree- Sparrow (P. montanus]. During 

 the nesting season the Chaffinch (Fringilla ccelebs) abandons 

 its diet of seeds and berries in favour of animal food, devoting 



Fig. 990. House-Sparrows (Passer domesticus] feeding their Young 



special attention to the little caterpillars found in buds and 

 flowers, which are also adapted to the tender digestions of the 

 nestlings. Linnets (Linaria cannabina, fig. 991) are consistent 

 vegetarians, but the seeds and other vegetable matters, with 



Fig. 991. A Nest of Linnets (Linaria cannabina) 



which the young are fed, first undergo a softening process in 

 the crops of the parents. A curious adaptation for the benefit 

 of the young is found in Pigeon j, which produce a special sort 

 of "infants' food" popularly known as "pigeons' milk". This 

 is not, however, a secretion, but consists of curd-like flakes 



