164 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



with fine fibre, that the outside twigs, which appear 

 so loose, are all held firmly in position. 



The eggs are five or six in number, of a pale 

 blue ground-colour, spotted and blotched towards 

 the larger end with purplish brown. Not unfre- 

 quently these spots are so regularly dispersed over 

 the surface as to resemble a crown of thorns. The 

 young, when hatched, are curious little fellows, their 

 heads and bills seeming so disproportionate in size 

 to the rest of the body. They are wonderfully 

 clamorous for food, and the energies of the old 

 birds must be severely taxed in flying to and fro 

 all day with their mouths full. 



We have sometimes felt inclined to leave a 

 Bullfinch undisturbed on a fruit-tree, in considera- 

 tion of the amends he would ultimately make by 

 destroying insects for his family. But in this case 

 we are not prepared to say that the good would 

 counterbalance the evil. We fear it would not. 

 Nevertheless, we prefer to treat our little friend like 

 a spoilt child, and would rather miss a few cherries 

 and plums than lose the pleasure of seeing him in 

 the garden and of listening to his cheerful song. 



