226 BIRDS OP NORFOLK. 



of birds in confinement. I often supply my own pets 

 with a feast of green food, to observe the various 

 traits and passions excited by the sudden treat 

 greediness and generosity, anger and gentleness, dignity 

 and impudence, alternately marking the character of 

 each feathered inhabitant. The cock brambling ill- 

 treats his wife, and pecks at the chaffinches, the hen 

 brambling revenges herself on a hen linnet, and though 

 in full possession of a dainty morsel prefers fighting to 

 eating. Presently a male greenfinch drives her in turn 

 from the illgotten store, and conscious of superior 

 strength, finishes it undisturbed. In another quarter a 

 larger piece of groundsel is causing all sorts of unplea- 

 santness amongst goldfinches, siskins, and redpoles. The 

 hen bullfinch snaps at her mate, and insists on satisfy- 

 ing her wants before him, whilst he, in bodily fear of his 

 spouse, looks the very image of a hen-pecked husband. 

 Tired of watching her, he now dashes amongst the 

 redpoles and other smaller fry, and taking their share to 

 himself, plays bully to perfection. What a burlesque on 

 man ! Who does not know the pompous wordy tyrant, 

 who, having found his match at home, revenges himself, 

 for his domestic littleness, by hectoring all he dares 

 amongst his fellows ? Great, greedy bullfinch ! Bunt- 

 ings, chaffinches, linnets, all give way before him, as 

 he flits from sprig to sprig, not so much enjoying the 

 feast as upsetting those who do. But now comes a 

 little champion, a very David to that proud Goliath ! and 

 in an instant the tiny siskin male, with open beak 

 and angry notes, drives at his ruddy breast, and bully 

 fairly scared, makes an abrupt retreat. Generous as 

 brave however, the little hero feeds with the redpoles, 

 and others of his size, in perfect harmony, though 

 ever ready to assert his rights. Yet all siskins are not 

 equally plucky, nor all .bullfinches and bramblings 

 spiteful and pugnacious, so varied are the individual 



