64 



THE EARLY DAYS OF 



place where the}^ are not wanted. A single cry of disapprobation 

 causes a host of birds to assemble to see the fun, and the new 

 comer is obliged to beat a hasty retreat from the confines of the 

 garden. But in my orchards the Redstarts are not so much 

 molested, and can rear their young in safety as a rule, though on 

 one occasion I found a hen-bird killed upon its nest and eggs by a 

 Tom-tit, which had taken a fancy to the place, and not being able 

 to drag the dead bird out, had built another nest on the top of its 

 victim. When I appeared on the scene it was sitting on five eggs, 

 thinking, perhaps, with Charles IX. of France — 



"Fragrance sweeter than the rose, 

 Rises from our slaughtered foes." 



A pair of Hawfinches, much to my satisfaction, took up their 

 quarters in my garden. At first the sparrows assembled in force, 



and some of the bolder spirits 

 tried to turn them out ; but a few 

 furious blows administered over 

 the head and shoulders of the 

 aggressors made them retire in 

 confusion, and clearly demon- 

 strated that no humbug would 

 be tolerated ; and now the h3'po- 

 crites, when they see the Haw- 

 finches approach, assume a sanc- 

 tified demeanour and attempt to 

 sing, "What a good and pleasant 

 thing it is, brethren, to dwell 

 together in unity ! " 



The migrants appear in my 



garden each succeeding year, so 



far as I can judge, without any 



addition to their numbers, although their tendency is to increase in 



geometrical ratio, and fill the earth and sky. If a Cobden or 



THE HAWFINCH. 



