144 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



shy, that it will cross and recross the nets without 

 alighting. If it flies low enough, therefore, it is 

 generally caught on the wing by pulling the nets as 

 it flies across. Its flight and general appearance, 

 at a distance, is not unlike that of the Chaffinch, but 

 it may be always distinguished from that species by 

 the white colour of the upper tail-coverts, which at 

 all seasons of the year is conspicuous. We were 

 informed by the late Mr. Blyth that he had seen a 

 living wild-caught hybrid between the Chaffinch 

 and Brambling, in the possession of Mr. Hugh 

 Hanley, of the ist Life Guards. 



The Brambling does not stay here late in the 

 spring like some others of our northern visitors the 

 Fieldfare and Redwing, for instance. As soon as 

 the winter is fairly over, it takes its departure, and 

 few are seen with us after the last days of March. 

 On one occasion, however, we procured one near 

 Edge ware as late as i8th April. It was a male 

 bird, and had nearly completed its nuptial plumage. 

 It is possible that a few pairs may annually remain 

 to breed here and there in suitable localities, but 

 instances of its nesting in the British Islands (except 

 in aviaries) are so rare that we can only call to mind 



