136 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



CHAFFINCH. 



Fringilla ccelebs ; Pinson ordinaire ; Buchfink. 

 Beechfinch ; Horsefinch ; Pink ; Shilfa. 



Bill, bluish ; legs and claws, brown ; crown of the 

 head and nape, dark bluish-grey ; back, chestnut ; chin, 

 throat, and breast, reddish-brown ; wings, black, with 

 white bands ; tail, black, but middle feathers grey. The 

 female is without the reddish-brown on the breast, and 

 the head and nape are brown, not blue. Length, six 

 inches. 



I am inclined to think that the Chaffinch is the most 

 common bird in Ireland. In the towns, indeed, the 

 Sparrows may be more numerous ; but once they are 

 left behind, Chaffinches seem to constitute two out of 

 every three birds we meet ; and very handsome birds 

 they are ; were they more rare, they would doubtless 

 be prized. But as men who are constantly seen in 

 places of public resort are but little thought of, no 

 matter what their qualifications may be, so, too, is it 

 with birds ; the more seldom seen, the more they are 

 thought of, whilst those we meet with every day are 

 but lightly esteemed. 



Very early in the year the Chaffinch's spring greeting 

 may be heard ; but he puts his song gradually together, 

 rehearsing the opening syllables first, and then waiting 

 for several days, or even more, till, in more promising 

 weather, he sings his spring song with all its finish and 

 vivacity. We do not think very much of his song or 

 himself in Ireland ; but in other countries he is highly 

 appreciated. In England, for instance, Mr. Frank 



