36 THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 



ground amongst the dead stems of the reeds. I have 

 heard their note in the thick foliage on the top of 

 trees ; they are sometimes caught by the bird- 

 catchers in winter. 



CHAFFINCH. 

 Fringilla cczlebs, Linn. 



Chaffinches having spent the autumn and the 

 winter associated with other finches, feeding upon 

 seeds on the stubble fields, and having paired, return 

 in the spring with their merry note and shining 

 plumage, building their beautifully constructed nests 

 among the apple-blossoms in our orchards. 



BRAMBLE-FINCH. 

 Fringilla montifringilla. Linn. 



The Bramble-Finch is not very common in my 

 district, not more than two or three being seen at the 

 same time, generally mixed with the Chaffinches and 

 other indigenous varieties on our stubbles, and known 

 by their white tail coverts. I have on two occasions 

 seen one from my window feeding with the sparrows ; 

 they are fond of a newly-sown oat-field in the month 

 of March, just before they take their departure to 

 spend the summer in Norway. 



