AUTUMN BIRD LIFE 255 



30th November, 



The winter equivalent of the warbler is the finch, 

 including the bunting. It is he in the main who 

 fills the vacant place, and gives a character to the 

 months which intervene between the fall, and the 

 return of the leaf. 



A number of birds are feeding on the strip of 

 links opposite St. Andrews Golf-house. Their 

 motions are lively in comparison with those of 

 native species ; and, ever and anon, they squat on 

 the ground, in a manner which no self-respecting 

 Scots bird would think of imitating. 



The flash of pure white in the expanded wing 

 belongs to no resident, not even the summer 

 chaffinch. Further proof of their identity is 

 supplied as they flit a short distance in a sort of 

 curve, and drop in a shower on the ground, to the 

 sound of their sweet tinkling voices. 



With a view of watching their motions more 

 closely, I approach within a few yards, a liberty 

 no native bird would allow. And 1 recall that, in 

 their abundance and tameness, these birds are to 

 the Esquimaux what the house-sparrow is to us. 

 Indeed, it seems to me that the strangers show a 

 confidence in human nature exceeding even the 

 impudence of the sparrow. . 



