THE CHAFFINCH AND BRAMBLING. 177 



obtaining insects in the same manner as the Flycatcher, 

 launching itself into the air, and after a short fluttering 

 flight returning to a perching place. In winter he is often 

 seen on the highway, searching amongst the manure for 

 grain and insects ; we also see him about the farmyards, 

 on the corn-stacks, feeding in company with Sparrows 

 and Buntings. In the autumn he is found in the beech 

 woods, of the fruit of which tree he is passionately fond, 

 and to the newly sown lands he often repairs to feed on 

 the grain. Few birds, indeed, contribute more to the 

 beauty of a wintry landscape than the Chaffinch, espe- 

 cially where the evergreen grows in profusion, for there 

 he is seen in largest numbers, and where, after spending 

 the short winters day on the neighbouring fields, he 

 retires to rest amongst its perennial branches. 



When the Brambling or Mountain Finch arrives in 

 November much of his former beauty has disappeared. 

 His black plumage is mottled with a rusty hue, and his 

 breast is not so bright a red as when he donned it for 

 the nuptial season. Still, in beauty he forms no mean 

 rival to the Chaffinch, and yields the palm to but few 

 of our resident choristers. 



Once arrived in a locality, the Bramblings seldom 

 quit it, provided food and shelter can be obtained, 

 until the returning spring sends them in the direction of 

 the polar star. They are a tame and confiding little 

 species, if not continually molested. When disturbed, 

 they do not all take wing at once, but in little parties. 

 As they fly from the observer their white plumage con- 

 trasts richly with their other colours. When seriously 

 alarmed and compelled to take wing, they invariably 

 take refuge on the tree tops, where, packed close together, 

 they keep up a twittering concert and take but little 

 notice of an intruder. In midwinter the beech woods 



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