CHAFFINCH. 533 



but a little shorter than the second or third, which are equal, and the 

 longest in the wing. Legs with the tarsi of moderate length ; toes di- 

 vided, and adapted for hopping and perching ; claws curved and sharp. 



THE male Chaffinch is one of the most handsome of our 

 common small birds, and in his general deportment is as 

 lively as he is handsome. Thus distinguished by bright 

 colours and active habits, and being besides very numerous 

 as a species, and confident in behaviour, allowing the near 

 approach of observers without exhibiting much alarm, the 

 Chaffinch is extremely well known ; and as his gay appear- 

 ance and song, frequently noticed as early as February, 

 point him out as one of the first of our indigenous birds 

 to afford an indication of returning spring, he is for these 

 various reasons a general favourite. With our Continental 

 neighbours the Chaffinch is one of their most common 

 cage-birds ; and in France, from the lively colours and 

 demeanour of this bird, the term " gay as a Chaffinch" is 

 a proverbial phrase in frequent use. Linneus, in his Fauna 

 of Sweden, says that the female Chaffinches migrate from 

 that country in winter, but that the males do not, and he 

 bestowed upon the species the name of ccelebs, or bachelor, 

 in reference to these deserted males. At the present time 

 Professor Nilsson, of Sweden, says, that although but few 

 remain in that country during winter, they are not males 

 only ; but even the temporary separation of the sexes 

 among birds is not an unusual occurrence, and Mr. Selby, 

 in his history of the Chaffinch, says, that in "Northumber- 

 land and Scotland this separation takes place about the 

 month of November, and from that period till the return 

 of spring, few females are to be seen, and those few always 

 in distinct societies. The males remain, and are met with, 

 during the winter, in immense flocks, feeding with other 

 granivorous birds in the stubble lands, as long as the 

 weather continues mild, and the ground free from snow ; 



