THE BIRDS 313 



or flower-pots, while if suitable nesting boxes are provided the 

 Blue Tits will nearly always take possession of them. 



Although accused of pecking fruit and eating buds, Tits 

 certainly do more good than harm in orchards and gardens, by 

 the enormous numbers of insect pests they destroy. They eat 

 insects, and their eggs, larvae and pupae, of almost every descrip- 

 tion, and two or three pairs of Tits will practically clear the trees 

 in the vicinity of their nests of insect pests when they are busy 

 rearing their large and hungry families. 



The Great Tit (P. Major) is the largest of the family, and, though 

 normally feeding on insects, will sometimes develop murderous 

 tendencies and kill smaller and weaker birds by splitting their 

 skulls with his strong beak. 



The Finches (Fringillida) form one of the largest families of 

 song-birds, numbering about six hundred species, distributed over 

 almost all parts of the world. They are distinguished by the short, 

 stout, conical bill; this, however, varies in different species, and 

 may be longer or occasionally curved. The food of the Finch 

 tribe consists chiefly of seeds, but insects, fruit, and buds are also 

 eaten. They are generally lively and active birds, bold and assertive 

 in their ways, though the habits of the different species vary in 

 many ways. The majority are social and friendly, yet the Common 

 House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is noted for its pugnacious dis- 

 position and quarrelsome ways. The flight is usually strong and 

 swift ; while on the ground some Finches hop and others run: 

 Most members of this large family frequent wooded districts or 

 open country, a few are found on sandy deserts, others haunt 

 marshes, rocks, or the shore. The song varies in quality from the 

 wonderful melody poured forth by the Canary to the monotonous 

 chirp of the Sparrow. In England many species of the Finch 

 tribe are found, amongst which the Bullfinch with his white-barred 

 wings, glossy black head, grey back, and bright pink cheek, the 

 Chaffinch with his brown plumage, barred wings, and pinkish 

 breast, and the Linnet with its sweet, low song are general favourites. 

 The Greenfinch in the winter-time resorts to the stubble-fields, 

 in company with Sparrows, Yellow Hammers, and others of his 

 race, and in the springtime his curious drawling note is heard in 

 the hedgerows and garden, where his nest is often built. The 

 Brambling, the Redpoll, and the Siskin are chiefly with us in the 



